Ronald Koeman praises Southampton despite Stoke City loss

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that his side were "unlucky" after they fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Stoke City this afternoon.

The Saints led at half time thanks to a Morgan Schneiderlin goal, but the Potters rallied after the break and scored through Mame Biram Diouf and Charlie Adam.

Koeman is not angry with his players, though, and praised them for their performance at the Britannia Stadium.

He told BBC Sport: "We were unlucky. I am happy how the lads played. We know it is a difficult place to come and if you control that 90 minutes like we did it is very difficult and painful to understand how we lose.

"It was a bad moment at 1-1, but the team showed a good reaction. The wind was influential in their equaliser so it is unlucky. Sometimes in life you need more luck."

Southampton sit sixth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of the top four.