Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl heaped praise on Newcastle United and singled out Bruno Guimaraes in his final press conference as Southampton manager on Sunday. The Austrian had previously made enemies of the Magpies' fanbase with comments over their transfer spending and a postponed fixture earlier this year.
The two clubs were due to meet on January 2 last season but a request from United that the game was postponed due to a COVID outbreak was accepted by the Premier League. Eddie Howe subsequently strengthened his side during the winter window before beating Southampton when the rearranged clash took place in March, with January addition Guimaraes finding the net.
Hasenhuttl cut a broken figure in the post-match press conference on Sunday as he admitted his side simply couldn't stop Howe's high-flying Newcastle and Guimaraes in the middle of the park. However, there was no snide comments this time around as the 55-year-old admitted the opposition are a team going places.
READ MORE: Newcastle's 'anger' as 'dangerous' mentality changes, Southampton taunt and broken Hasenhuttl
"They have quality in every position," Hasenhuttl told reporters. "They have a threat, they have with Bruno a fantastic midfielder who leads their game – this is their squad.
"You can see we are doing what we can do, to hold them under control and to compete with them. For most of the time we did it well but when you let them near your goal, they have so much quality that they kill you and this is frustrating to see. But this is fact, this is Premier League and we have to know this.”
Guimaraes found the net in fine style in the closing stages of the clash, calmly curling a shot beyond Gavin Bazunu in the Saints goal. However, it was his midfield counterpart Sean Longstaff who picked up the Man of the Match award for his exploits at St Mary's.
Newcastle are now sitting third in the Premier League with one league game to play before the World Cup break. The Saints currently sit 18th and are looking for Hasenhuttl's replacement after his four-year tenure at St. Mary's.
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe brilliant response after Man City boss Pep Guardiola calls Newcastle a 'contender'
Everything Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said on injuries, transfer and Southampton
Liverpool warning hints at brilliant Newcastle mentality as first Premier League target revealed
Newcastle's £67m masterstroke as money truth told after Manchester United and Chelsea deals
Newcastle find wonderkid who could be 'as good as anyone in world'
