Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- De Zerbi on what European football would mean to Brighton #BHAFC

May 21, 2023
The Seagulls are two points from securing at least a spot in next season’s Europa Conference League. They will put that beyond doubt if they can beat Southampton tomorrow. Two wins will make sure of a Europa League spot. Albion have never come close to reaching Europe via the league although they were one win from playing in the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983. Head coach De Zerbi: “We are pushing to achieve one historic target. “We are doing more than we could imagine three, four, five months ago. “It’s a very tough period but when you have one dream you have a big motivation, and you push together to work towards the target.” He added: “To qualify in the Europa League with Brighton is more important than to win a Premier League with a big, big team. “I told my players the same. Caicedo, Mac Allister, Mitoma, Estupinan, the players who can have the possibility to play in the big teams. “I think for us it is an historic target and we are living only for this.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes Bournemouth deserved at least a draw against Man United #AFCB

May 20, 2023
Cherries fell to their third straight defeat this afternoon, losing 1-0 to an early Casemiro strike. However, unlike the 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park a week earlier, in which Cherries failed to register a shot on target, they did threaten to get something out of the game. Substitute Kieffer Moore had the clearest chance, denied one-on-one by David de Gea in the final 10 minutes. Asked for his assessment of his side’s display, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I was pleased. “I thought it was a good performance against obviously a very good Man United side, who are still pushing hard, desperate for points for the top four and have a cup final still at the end of the season, so they are full throttle at the moment. “We were obviously under-strength, five key players missing, a little bit short today. “So in comparison to Crystal Palace, light years apart. I thought it was a very competitive game. “I didn’t think there was much in it. I thought our chances were probably equally as good as theirs. “They managed to take one, we didn’t. It ends up 1-0, but I don’t think anyone could’ve complained if Kieffer Moore would’ve taken his chance at the end and the game finishes 1-1, I think it would’ve been a fair score-line. “I’m proud of the players again, because it’s not easy once you’ve reached the top of the mountain like we did, to then have to go again and suffer against a good side without the ball sometimes, dig in, defend your goal and then show quality with the ball. “I thought it was a good performance.” Cherries round off their season at Everton next weekend.
Julio Enciso
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Julio Enciso makes peace with Miguel Almiron after fiesty encounter against Newcastle United #BHAFC

May 19, 2023
The opposing players sorted out their differences and hugged after full-time as the Seagulls went down 4-1 at Newcastle. Merseyside-based referee Robert Jones had earlier found himself in the middle of a Paraguayan disagreement at St James’s Park. Enciso clumsily fouled Almiron during the second half as Albion tried to force an equaliser. Almiron angrily pursued his opponent to make a point. But Enciso was having none of it and rather dismissively pushed Almiron in the chest. Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister looked to intervene and everything was eventually calmed down. Almiron stood out for Newcastle while Enciso also injected some spark for the visitors when he went on as sub. While a minor incident for English viewers, their disagreement made headlines back home. Enciso posted on social media: “Seeing everything that I’m being mentioned in, first off I want to say that the things that happen on the pitch stay on the pitch, I never want to fight with anyone and especially with Miguel. “Those that know me and the way I am know the respect I have for Miguel. “Still, I apologised, we apologised and now we’re fine. Miguel is an idol of mine, I adore him a lot and we both work hard to put our country at the top. “Today he won and I wish him the best. Thank you, brother for all the advice and the chat we had after the game, I learned a lot from you. “I know I didn’t leave a good image but I would never do anything bad. “I’m young and I’m learning everything every day.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Brighton’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle #BHAFC

May 19, 2023
The Seagulls face Southampton on Sunday as they chase the first of two wins which would take them into the Europa League. Head coach De Zerbi said his side got things wrong tactically in the first half at St James’s Park, where they went down 4-1. He said: “We have to be strong in a tough period. “I don’t love to make an excuse but we have eight, nine, I don’t know how many injuries we have. “We are playing four games in 12 days. We knew before the game the situation was difficult. “I think we will be able to qualify anyway for Europe. “We have to win two games. We play in our stadium with our fans. “In our stadium we play with 12 players. “It is a difficult period but to qualify for the Europa League we have to be stronger than everything. “If we qualify in the Europa League we reach an historic target. “We have the right motivation, we have the right energy to fight until the end.” Newcastle’s pressing game stifled Albion in the first half. De Zerbi said: “We didn’t understand well the man who could play and the man was Estupinan – and Caicedo, the full-backs. “We didn’t understand the situation. We didn’t find the right player. “We are not used to playing three games in a week and we suffer a lot. “Moises Caicedo, Pervis, Mitoma - in the first half they don’t play well but I love them. “They have to learn to play two games in four days. “We are not used to it yet but next year we will be better, we will be ready to play every day.”
Neto
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Neto on defeat to Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 16, 2023
Two finely taken goals from Eberechi Eze proved the difference, with Neto powerless prevent either effort in the eventual 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park. It was the first time since March Cherries have lost back-to-back games, with the Brazilian admitting his side were second best. He shared: “We’re frustrated by the result. We wanted to win this game, it was very important for us but I think we didn’t deserve it.“By our interpretation, it wasn’t our right to win the game and we have to keep going. That’s football and we have to move on.” Whilst Everton’s subsequent defeat to champions elect Manchester City on Sunday confirmed Cherries’ place in next season's Premier League, Neto believes his team will give it their all in the final fixtures with Manchester United and the Toffees. “I think 40 points is the number for everybody at the beginning of the season and when the games happen, maybe you don’t need the 40 points,” he continued. “Our goal and objective is 40 points and we have two difficult games in the next weeks and we have to mentalise the right way to keep going and go win those games.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil hails safety as a ‘big achievement’ despite loss against Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 16, 2023
Everton’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday means there are now three teams in the Premier League unable to overhaul Cherries’ current points tally of 39. Leeds United can now only finish on 37, Everton’s potential maximum 38, whilst New Forest neighbours Southampton have already been relegated. That means Cherries can finish no lower than 17th, thus are safe from the threat of relegation. Promoted from the Championship last term following a two-year absence from the top-flight, many tipped Cherries to go straight back down. Despite an opening day win over Aston Villa, heavy defeats to the biggest hitters in the league culminated in Scott Parker’s final game in charge, a record-equalling 9-0 defeat at Liverpool. Shortly after O’Neil was installed on a temporary basis, the head coach doing enough as interim to earn the job on a full-time basis. Victory over Leeds United at the end of April ultimately proved enough for Cherries to stay up with four games spare. “It's a big achievement, no doubt,” O’Neil mused. “You saw (against Crystal Palace), if we wouldn't have been at full tilt all season and the players hadn't been given absolutely everything, that is how the Premier League can treat you, ruthless. “Crystal Palace made us look like a team that was struggling. So the boys have given everything for the whole season, suffered some real tough blows, managed to pick themselves up and go again. “A lot of hard work gone in, from players and staff and, yeah, that's how we achieved it, really. “That's how we achieved it. We got everything out of absolutely everybody that we could. “Every last drop of quality, energy, determination, managed to get it out of everyone.” However, despite his delight at staying up against the odds, O’Neil shared his “huge disappointment” at his side’s performance at Selhurst Park. Eberechi Eze was on hand to score in either half and give Crystal Palace a 2-0 win over a Cherries side that failed to muster a shot on target. He continued: “But I don’t want it to finish like (the performance against Palace). At this moment, where we are with 39 points and the fact that we're safe doesn't make me feel any better about what I saw. “Just huge disappointment, really. “At the end of the season when I’ve sat down and we’ve stayed up, and I can obviously reflect on it from a clearer point of view, but (against Palace) what I saw from a team that was put out by me, I didn't like.”  
Che Adams
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Che Adams hints at Southampton stay after relegation is confirmed for the club #SAINTSFC

May 15, 2023
The 26 year old Scotsman has been battling injury since the March international break and has been unable to fully assist the team in their battle. Adams, who has scored five goals in the Premier League and five in cup competitions this season, missed the 2-0 defeat to Fulham after a late fitness test. After scoring in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in March, Adams has only played 130 minutes since – starting just once. READ MORE: How Southampton's excitement unwrapped to become relegation disaster Posting his statement on Twitter, Adams said: “Dear Saints, now I've processed everything, I wanted to express just how gutted I am.  pic.twitter.com/9OxWA6GDOn — Ché Adams (@CheAdams_) May 14, 2023 “This season has been the most challenging of my career and I think the same goes for everyone involved in Southampton Football Club. “We have failed and definitely fallen short of everybody's expectations and for that, I can't express how disappointed and also sorry I am.” He added: “I have given my everything for this club since I first walked through Staplewood on 1st July 2019 and St Mary's, but this year wasn't enough. “Myself and everyone at the club will learn from the mistakes we've made this season. “The last few weeks have been especially gutting not being able to help the team, as I've been struggling with an injury. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't give up or quit easily. “I've tried my hardest and pushed through the past few games as I wanted to give my everything, but it's not got better and it wouldn't be fair on the team or the fans if I'm not at 100%. “Just want to say a massive thank you to all the fans that support us each week, we'll bring the club back to where it belongs for you.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi reveals pride after Brighton’s 3-0 win at Arsenal #BHAFC

May 15, 2023
But he added they still have work to do if they are to secure a European place. The Seagulls roared to a 3-0 win at Arsenal less than a week after their 5-1 defeat by Everton. They move back up to sixth place and effectively ended the Gunners’ title hopes. De Zerbi said: “Very delighted for the performance but I am really happy, really proud because the last five days were very difficult after the defeat on Monday. “It was a very difficult moment. Today we showed our passion, we showed we are serious people. “My players showed they are great people and then we can speak about football, our style, our quality of the players but first of all we won the game because we suffer a lot after the defeat.” “We have 58 points, not enough to qualify for Europe League. We have another four games, tough games. We have to fight because 58 aren’t enough to play (in Europe) next year.” (Additional reporting: Carlos Acosta Juckes)
Lloyd Kelly
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on loss to Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 15, 2023
Kelly and co. went into their contest at Selhurst Park requiring one more point to make their Premier League survival a mathematical certainty. Whilst they did not find the required point, losing 2-0 to Palace, their place in next season’s Premier League was confirmed by Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Asked how he felt about the suggestion of his side losing motivation following all but securing survival, Kelly told BBC Radio Solent: “Of course they can throw accusations at us. It's football, and you're going to get that. “But I think at the end of the day - although you could say we're safe now - every game we go into from now until the end of the season, the two left that we have, we have to put in a performance.” It was the second time Cherries were defeated 2-0 by the Eagles this season, with Gary O’Neil’s charges failing to impress in either game. Kelly mused: “I think coming away from that game is a difficult one, really. “Of course, we set out to come here and get a point, or even three, just put in a good performance and see where that got us. “So coming away from the game with nothing and conceding two goals, which I think in the overall scheme of things, we could have avoided. It’s difficult. “I think it's a difficult one to explain, really. “Of course, you can talk about the tactics and what we can do with the ball and things like that, but I think at the end of the day, it just comes down to if you're willing to run. “And I think we were second best in that today. “They’ve got quality going forward. Coming into the game, everyone knew of that. “We've seen it throughout the season from them. “Their attacking players can create things out of nothing, and we needed to be at our best to avoid conceding those goals. “And I think that's where we slipped up a little bit.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil to speak to PGMOL after Jefferson Lerma broken nose #AFCB

May 15, 2023
During the first half of Cherries’ contest against Crystal Palace, with the game goalless, Eagles defender Joachim Andersen’s hand connected with the face of Lerma, the latter defending from a corner. The Colombian went to the floor and the game was stopped, but video assistant referee Andy Madley did not recommend to on-field official Michael Salisbury to review the footage, after checking for a potential red card for violent conduct. Webb, a former top-flight referee in England and in international competition, became chief refereeing officer of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) earlier this season. Asked for his take on the incident in the 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park, Cherries’ head coach O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Jefferson Lerma has broken his nose from it. “It looked like a fairly clear punch in the face to me, on the footage. “I spoke to the on-field ref and I understand them not spotting it. I think it’s from a corner, so there’s a lot of bodies and things moving fast. “The ref needs to be trying to look at everything, so it’s difficult for him to spot it. “But the fact that we got the usual check complete from VAR, as one that’s going against us, was a surprise. “It was a significant blow to Jeff’s face with a closed fist by the look of it. So I’m disappointed something wasn’t done.” Asked if he will speak to PGMOL about the decision, as he has done in recent weeks about various decisions, O’Neil said: “It’s an interesting one. I speak to Howard Webb most Sundays at the moment! “I’ll speak to him tomorrow, because I feel like this one is an important one. “Jeff’s obviously not happy about it. I’ll speak to him, as we have done even with the penalty decision last week (in defeat to Chelsea) on Dom (Solanke). “It didn’t go our way. It’s important we discuss it, because it’s a significant blow to the face and Jeff has injured and broken his nose from it.” Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson played down the incident. Asked if he was concerned Andersen may be in trouble at the time, Hodgson told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know, I haven’t seen it. “The penalty box is 65 to 70 yards away from me. My eyesight is not bad, but it’s not an eagle eyesight. “All I know is I was watching the corner kick and trying to assess our organisation and suddenly the game was stopped and there’s a player on the ground. “I have no idea what happened or how he landed on the ground, but I have to trust the referee, who at the time did not see any reason to give a free-kick. “And that was backed up by VAR, so that’s perfectly good enough for me.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on ‘really poor’ loss at Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 14, 2023
Cherries were beaten 2-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to two goals from Eberechi Eze. Reflecting on the defeat, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “We were really poor today. I think we dropped below our level for the first time in a while. From a human point of view, 39 points is a good tally. “But a good lesson for everybody involved that if we’re not desperate and we’re not at 120 per cent like we have been recently and fighting for every single ball and every single point and you drop your levels slightly against a good Crystal Palace side, you get well beaten.” He added: “We struggled with the ball, struggled physically any time there was any duels or the ball was loose. Crystal Palace were better at that. “And then when the game goes that way and you give them enough situations that suit them, one-v-ones with (Wilfried) Zaha and Eze and (Michael) Olise, they’re a good side, they’ve got fantastic players. “We didn’t manage to stamp our way and didn’t find a way to cause them any issues. So it was a disappointing afternoon. “As I said to the players before these four games since we’ve been on 39 points, if you lose, they still feel terrible. “It does, so we need to make sure that we use this today to ensure that the next two don’t look anything like that.” Cherries round off their season with a home game against Manchester United next Saturday, before a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss Ruben Selles after defeat by Nottingham Forest: ‘I think the boys showed character’ #SAINTSFC

May 10, 2023
Despite a promising start, Saints gave themselves a mountain to climb when sloppy defending allowed the hosts to take a two-goal lead inside 21 minutes. Charly Alcaraz’s fourth goal since his January move gave Saints a lifeline but Forest regained their two-goal advantage shortly before half-time when Morgan Gibbs-White slotted home from the penalty spot. READ MORE: Selles told 'calm down' by former Premier League man amid 'anxious' pitchside antics On a back-and-forth night at the City Ground, Saints made it 3-2 six minutes into the second half as Lyanco headed in his maiden goal for the club. But once again, they were pegged back, this time Danilo finishing a superb Forest move to make it 4-2 with just over 15 minutes left to play. James Ward-Prowse then made it 4-3 deep into stoppage time with a well-taken penalty but Saints were unable to snatch a late point as they suffered their 23rd defeat of the Premier League season to fall eight points adrift of safety with eight games remaining. And speaking after the match, Selles was full of praise for the way in which his side approached the game while pointing to the flurry of individual errors that cost them a chance of taking all three points. "It was really hard. It's really hard for us, that result,” the Spaniard said. “To control the game in the very beginning, we came here with a clear idea what to do. And then in two situations, we gave away two goals.  “And then it's always a situation to fight back into the game. I think we did it. I think we stayed in the game. I think we saw the togetherness, the work, the things that we want to do, but it's really difficult when we give away the situations like we did today. Saints are now winless in their last ten Premier League matches. (Image: PA) "We fought back in the game, we scored the goal. The last action in the first half was a penalty again, in a situation that we need to defend better and then it's always difficult.  “But I think the boys showed character. They wanted to come back, they wanted to play and we were in the game at 3-2. We had some chances and then again, we gave a goal away and again we had the character to come back and put the ball under pressure but there was not enough time." The bank holiday defeat marked the 13th occasion that Saints have been beaten by one goal in the Premier League this season. It once again displayed Saints’ ability to stay competitive before folding in the crucial moments. "Well, I think we need to be more robust in the way that we get the game,” Selles told the Daily Echo of why he feels this trend of single-goal defeats has continued all season.  “We need to be more competitive, we need to want it because as you say, it's just those details, it is just one goal.  “It is not anybody that played better than us and was dominant against us. It is actually the opposite because I think we had a good first part of the game and I think in a lot of moments we were in control. "But those key moments that we need to defend better as a team, those key moments are when you control better. And then we emphasised that but unfortunately it happened again today."
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke on defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

May 8, 2023
Frank Lampard picked up his first win as interim boss at the seventh attempt at the Vitality on Saturday, Conor Gallagher’s opener for the away side cancelled out by Matias Vina’s sublime effort in the first half before Chelsea snatched the points late on with goals from Benoit Badiashille and Joao Felix. Solanke started his career with the Blues, coming through their Cobham academy to make one first team appearance for the club, a cameo off the bench against Maribor in the Champions League. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Solanke shared: “It was a good game. “A top club, a lot of great players and we knew that they would change their fortunes and get a win at some point. “Obviously we didn't want it to be (against us), but I think we gave them a good game and just conceded two late goals which killed us a bit, but we could have definitely got something from the game. “We're not going to score every chance. “We had some good chances today that we didn't take, and they managed to take a couple late on. “But that's just football. There's still a lot of positives we can take, but it's never nice to lose in a game. “So we'll look back and try to get a win next week.” With Cherries all but safe, there might be the suggestion that Cherries have nothing to play for with three games remaining. However, Solanke reiterated that the side were just as disappointed at losing a dead-rubber as they were earlier on in the campaign, with confidence remaining high. He continued: “I think how we've been playing recently and the results we've been picking up, we're full of confidence. “Even after the game, even though we've had such a great spell and pretty much safe, there's still disappointment in there. “But I think that shows the character of our team that we believe we can go out there and win against anyone at the moment. “So, it was an unfortunate defeat, but we'll dust down and go again next week.”  
Frank Lampard
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chelsea’s Frank Lampard on AFC Bournemouth victory #CHELSEAFC

May 8, 2023
Former England international Lampard picked up the first win of his second stint in charge of the Blues at Vitality Stadium, with goals from Conor Gallagher, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix ending a run of six defeats for Chelsea. After Matias Vina’s 20th minute equaliser the game proved to be quite even, with both sides having to wait later into the game for their chances. Dango Ouattara headed over from close range 11 minutes before the final whistle, whilst Chelsea were more clinical from their chances. Badiashille bundled home a free-kick on 82 minutes, before Felix made sure of the result minutes later. Reflecting on his side ending their losing streak, Lampard began: “I think the Arsenal first half wasn't good enough. I said that, no point in harping on about that. "The second half, reaction was better. "So in the days between games, we can't work much, but we can talk and have meetings and talk to players individually. "And (beating Bournemouth) was a nice small step forward. "I think we controlled a lot of the game. “Bournemouth will always give you some problems here, they’re a good team, top end of the pitch playing through quickly, got a lot of energy in their team. “Set pieces are dangerous, so you never feel safe at 1-1. “But I think we controlled it a lot and maybe a little bit of a sign of us controlling the first half without the killer instinct, like we're running inside their box a lot. “In the first half we had a lot of overloads on the side of the pitch. “And as this team develops or as we add to the squad, I think you have to be more killers at the top end of the pitch. “You do look at the top half of the table. “That's what you'll see all across it. At the moment, we haven't got that, but you saw nice individual performances today in a positive direction.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on lack of penalty given against Chelsea #AFCB

May 7, 2023
With the scores level at 1-1 following Mati Vina’s stunning equaliser that cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s opener, there was a hearty shout from Cherries for a penalty in the 67th minute. Striker Dominic Solanke appeared to have nipped in ahead of Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, knocking the ball past the Brazilian before being taken out. Late goals from Benoit Badiashile and substitute Joao Felix swung the game in the Blues’ favour for their first win in seven games. Whilst the incident was checked by Video Assistant Referee David Coote, there was not deemed to be a clear and obvious error made by on field ref John Brooks in not deciding to not point to the spot, the key criteria for overturning decisions. Cherries are the only side in the Premier League yet to be awarded a spot-kick, whilst Chelsea have managed to avoid giving a single penalty away this campaign. Asked for his thoughts on the incident, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought it was a tight one. “I thought Thiago Silva doesn't get the ball, so Dom manages to take a touch before he gets there. “But Dom does take his touch backwards. So it looks maybe different to some that we're used to seeing, where the forward takes his touch forwards. “Then there is a bit of contact between Silva and Dom. So technically maybe a foul. “Outside the penalty area, maybe a foul, but the fact that it wasn't given on field meant it was obviously never going to be overturned. “So, yeah, we'd have probably needed that one to being given and then it maybe would have been upheld. “But, yeah, no real complaints. I thought it was one that it could it or not (be a penalty).”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil rues missed chances in defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

May 7, 2023
The two sides were level at half-time, after Matias Vina’s impressive strike cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s early opener. Chelsea had lots of possession after the restart, without working Neto, while down the other end Vina was denied a second goal by a fine Kepa Arrizabalaga stop. Dango Ouattara then missed a big chance to put the hosts in front, heading over from close range, before Chelsea got ahead when Benoit Badiashile scored from a Hakim Ziyech free-kick. Substitute Joao Felix then wrapped up victory with four minutes to play. Reflecting on the two sides’ contrasting fortunes in front of goal, O’Neil said: “I thought that was the only difference. I thought it was an even contest. “There were lots of bits in it that I liked. “When we were on top, sort of midway through the second half, we had a flurry of corners. Mati Vina has a one-on-one with Kepa, who makes a good save. “Kepa makes a great block from Dango as well, from four or five yards out and then obviously the massive chance with Dango's free header, four yards out from goal. “I think if we get our noses in front, the game will probably finish very differently. But disappointed that we weren't clinical enough and Chelsea make a couple of mistakes to give us a chance and we don't take it. “Then we get punished at the other end as soon as we make one. “I don't think Neto had a lot to do and then we make a mistake and they managed to punish us and it goes 2-1, and then obviously it's in their favour then. “But we were well in the game. Just really disappointed that we don't take anything.” O’Neil added: “We thought there was not much more performance-wise we could have done, apart from be better in front of their goal at key moments and then maybe not make quite so many errors. “Two errors at the end there for their two goals. “I thought the fans were excellent. I thought that the lads felt the energy in the place. “If there was any concern around the players not being at the same level as they have been because we're on 39 points, I thought there was no danger of that. “They were absolutely bang on again, gave absolutely everything. “But in football matches, especially against teams of world-class players, there is a chance that no matter how well you do, if you don't take your chances, they're going to take theirs. “We got stung with that.”