'They do it very smart, they were nasty' - Ralph Hasenhuttl on Leeds United's 'deserved' win over his Southampton

The Saints were well in the game at the break and had given their hosts a difficult time of it, pressing well and making a couple of good chances and having a goal chalked off when a free-kick was taken quickly.

It was a different story in the second half, Leeds taking the lead through Patrick Bamford and going on to add two late goals from Stuart Dallas and Raphinha.

"First half good, second half disaster," said Hasenhuttl.

"We deserved to lose today because in the second half we have not been playing what we should be against this team. In the first half we showed we can compete as a team, the second half balls in behind were causing us problems and that is too easy. No chance to get something here.

"To find an explanation for the second, we have not discussed it. They came out and played more long balls in behind but the timing for us was horrible, we got caught too many times. The closing down was difficult in the second half and nothing worked quite well."

Hasenhuttle felt his side were too easy to play against, while Leeds were able to stop Saints from countering with fouls - although the match stats showed Southampton were guilty of conceding two more free-kicks than their hosts.

"We still had chances after the second goal but the last pass is tough to create," he said.

"They're very clever. They always stopped our counter attacks with a simple foul in the midfield. It stops everything. They do it very smart. They have been nasty today and we haven't been in the second half. We were in the first half but in the second half we were a nice opponent who delivered chances and gave them three points.

"It was deserved, they killed us in the second half.

"They have good one against one quality and every ball in behind we had problems to deal with. As long as we defend together, were committed, they only had one chance. In the second half we were stretched. They showed our weakness immediately and are strong in one on one, we could not manage it."

The Elland Road pitch was a talking point again, from the outset, with players from both sides slipping over on the wet surface. Leeds recently had the top surface ripped up and replaced with turf they purchased from Tottenham Hotspur.

"It was difficult for both teams," said the Saints boss.

"Maybe they are a little bit more used to it, they know they have to flick it more. It's hard to turn on this pitch but they adapted better and they deserved to win."