Ian Gordon
Ronald Koeman saw Southampton end Swansea City’s four match unbeaten run – then insisted they are too good to go down.
The Swans are just three points above the Premier League drop zone after Shane Long’s 70th minute winner at the Liberty Stadium.
And after a break next weekend due to the FA Cup, Francesco Guidolin’s men face tough games at Tottenham and Arsenal.
But Saints’ Dutch manager Koeman, 52, said: “I think they are too good, too strong to be relegated.
“This was the first defeat for them in five games and they made it very difficult for us.
“They didn’t create a lot, but they played well and maybe, with a bit more luck, they have a different result.”
The Swans created few chances as Fraser Forster kept his sixth clean sheet on the trot since returning to the line-up since his horror knee injury.
But Guidolin – suffering his first defeat as Swan boss – may still be unbeaten had not ref JonMoss dismissed late penalty claims.
Even Koeman admitted his side escaped as Italian striker Alberto Paloschi – still looking for his first goal – was bundled over by sub Maya Yoshida.
He added: ”Maybe we were lucky in one situation – yes or no penalty.
“First it’s a foul I think by Bafetimbi Gomes on Fonte, but after that I don’t know. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win the game.
endig
