Russell Martin | We were architects of our own downfall

Head coach Russell Martin felt Swansea City had been the architects of their own downfall in their FA Cup third-round defeat against Southampton.

The tie went to extra-time, but the Swans ended up losing 3-2 despite having led early in the additional period.

Nathan Redmond had given Saints the lead early on, before the visitors had Yan Valery sent off on the half hour.

Joel Piroe equalised in the closing stages before a Jan Bednarek own goal gave the Swans the advantage.

However, Mohamed Elyounoussi replied almost immediately for Premier League Saints, before Shane Long scored the winner.

And, while acknowledging the challenges his side have faced after a month without a game and Covid cases within the squad, Martin was disappointed at the manner in which his side relinquished their advantage.

“We started quite nervously as a lot of the guys have not played for a long time,” he said.

“Seven or eight of the guys had not trained until this week and we grew into it.

“We conceded and I felt if we did not kick into gear after that it was going to be a long afternoon, but from that point I liked a lot of what we did.

“They had a man sent off because we showed courage and discipline and put together a great move where we got Michael (Obafemi) in behind.

“From there it was a case of having to break them down. We showed patience, played with intensity and did a lot of good stuff.

“We were dominant with 11 against 10 as we should be, we did not give them many opportunities.

“We score, Joel has a great chance to win it, but Fraser Forster makes a great save.

“In extra time we score and our mentality seems to be that maybe we think the game is done, but it’s not done against a Premier League team with the quality they have and were able to bring on.

“It hurts because we have allowed them back into it, we did not have the mentality to dig in and play with the same intensity and discipline.

“We have plotted our own downfall which is disappointing because I should be coming out to talk about so much good stuff.

“I am really hurt by the manner in which we lost the game and I have told the lads it is not acceptable to lose a game like that.

“It’s the mentality after we score, we think it is done and you could see it in our body language. We got punished for it.”