Southampton 4 Hull City 1: Saints take praise but McShane unhappy with Tigers show

“It was very disappointing,” he said. “We have been doing well recently and I think the first 45 minutes killed us, really.

“We never really got going and they were bang at it, so three goals in the first half killed us. It is disappointing.

“Southampton were very good, a very good side and have done well this season, but I just think we didn’t get going in the first half.

“In the second half, we played better but we were 3-0 down, so the game was basically nearly over.

“They are a good side, all credit to them, but I think we just made it easy for them in the first half.”

Manager Steve Bruce admits Southampton are a growing force.

“Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say we were well beaten, ” said the City manager, who saw Yannick Sagbo net in a much improved second-half display.

“At least in the second half we showed some character and restored some pride.

“Southampton are the best side in the division outside the usual suspects challenging for the top four by a country distance. They have very good players.

“The better team on the day by a million miles won the game.

“Maybe Southampton are not a small club any more and maybe they do have enough to compete at the top end of the table.”

Adam Lallana, meanwhile, has enjoyed the best footballing week of his career, but that could soon be gazumped as the Southampton captain prepares to join up with England.

The 25-year-old academy graduate has been with Saints through thick and thin, helping them to recover from relegation to the third tier with back-to-back promotions.

Lallana is now captain at St Mary’s and has played an integral role in what has been the club’s best start to a top-flight season – performances which led to him being named among a trio of Southampton players called up by England.

As if that was not enough, England manager Roy Hodgson was at St Mary’s on Saturday to witness the attacking midfielder’s man-of-the-match display in the 4-1 defeat of Hull in which he scored an exquisite solo effort.

“Someone did mention Roy was in the crowd but it is one of those things you have to try and put to the back of your mind and concentrate on your job,” said Lallana, an unused England substitute against Ukraine last year.

“Every time I play I just want to go on to the pitch and enjoy my football and play to the best of my ability, help the team get three points.

“I feel like I am playing with freedom and confidence at the minute, as the team is, and that is one of the main reasons why we are getting these good results.”

Asked if it had been the best week of his career, Lallana said: “I think so, but I just want to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard.

“I want to enjoy my time away with England and hopefully, if I get some minutes, try to impress.”

Lallana is joined in the squad to face Chile and Germany by Southampton team-mates Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez. They too impressed and will travel to St George’s Park tomorrow to link up with Hodgson’s side.

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Wanyama (Steven Davis 63), Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Lallana (Cork 84), Rodriguez, Lambert (Osvaldo 76). Unused substitutes: Kelvin Davis, Chambers, Hooiveld, Gallagher.

Hull City: Harper, Elmohamady (Koren 46), Davies, McShane, Figueroa, Rosenior, Meyler (Graham 73), Livermore, Huddlestone, Boyd (Quinn 80), Sagbo. Unused substitutes: Bruce, Jakupovic, Gedo, Proschwitz.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Adam Lallana.