Sunday 15 October 2017 20:01, UK
Mauricio Pellegrino believes Southampton have to work on essential parts of their game after conceding two "soft goals" in their 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez twice gave Newcastle the lead before Manolo Gabbiadini's double rescued a point for the hosts at St Mary's.
"It was a chaotic game," Pellegrino told Sky Sports. "We conceded a couple of, in my opinion, soft goals.
"We tried to be more direct in the second half because they were compact, we put Dusan (Tadic) behind the two strikers but after we equalised we conceded really quick. After this we were in our best moment (in the match).
"We could have won the game but also we could lose the game. I didn't like seeing this game with a lot of different moments because, in other games, we were controlling the games without scoring whereas today we scored two goals but it wasn't enough.
"We are conceding goals in every single game at home, goals we can avoid. It is one point, it is not the best for us but in how we conceded the first and second goals the point is positive."
The outcome of the game might have been very different had DeAndre Yedlin been handed a second yellow card for a late challenge early in the second period.
Referee Kevin Friend opted against handing the Newcastle right-back his marching orders, and Pellegrino refused to be drawn on the incident.
"I have to accept the game and the rules because I cannot have an opinion right now," the Saints boss added.
"The game is gone, the game was really tough but with good intention from both teams.
"I have to congratulate my players' reaction, but we have to improve essential parts of our game."
