Ralph Hasenhüttl was left to reflect on a important point against Crystal Palace, after James Ward-Prowse’s strike helped Southampton to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Wilfried Zaha had opened the scoring shortly before half-time with a low, right-footed shot after drifting inside from the left.
And it wasn’t until the 77th minute that Saints grabbed their leveller, following an improved second-half display.
“I think it’s a very, very important point against a good team. We knew that it would be difficult today and they gave us less chances to win the ball early, always long balls and didn’t really play football or build-up,” Hasenhüttl said.
“For us, it’s always dangerous as we have to build-up the game with patience and therefore we need to be in the right shape which takes time.
“It doesn’t make any sense if the crowd tries to push us forward, they can be sure we always want to play forward but sometimes it is not possible against such a team.
“Therefore we need to have time to find the right space and find the right moment and the goal showed that this moment will come.
“But we have to prepare it better and sometimes we were hurrying and not waiting for the right moment which costs us energy.”
James Ward-Prowse’s strike was his third in as many Premier League games and followed a wonderful flowing move which Hasenhüttl praised as his team’s best moment.
“It was the best scene from us today. Afterwards we also had a few good chances because we stretched them more and played diagonal balls behind the last line.
“It was more difficult for them to defend which is what we tried to do. The second-half was ok.”
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