Dean Smith conceded the best team won on the night in Norwich City's 2-0 defeat to Southampton on Friday.
The Canaries were beaten by a goal in each half at Southampton and the City head coach admitted his team didn't perform well enough.
"I thought we lost the game in the first-half," said Dean. "I didn't feel we played well enough with the ball.
"We knew they were a high pressing team and the first-half was similar to the one at Carrow Road.
"We turned it around in the second-half last time but tonight, the subs made an impact on 70 minutes and we put them under pressure. But when you come to a place like Southampton, they've been in good form - if we've only got 'six out of tens', you're not going to win the match. It's as simple as that.
"We wanted be more aggressive (in the first-half). We were too passive and weren't good enough on the ball.
"People talk about Teemu (Pukki) not having many touches but if you keep surrendering the ball and turning the ball over, he isn't going to have touches.
"That was the disappointing part because we're better than that on the ball. The players know that."
Dean reserved a word for the supporters, who travelled in their numbers once again to get behind the team.
"The result is nothing to do with the supporters. It was great to see them here in their numbers on a Friday night, travelling so far.
"They'll know the players gave the effort, it was just down to quality on the day."