NATHAN JONES has hit back at Southampton fans after leading his side to victory at Crystal Palace to end a dismal run of form.
The Saints boss, who was only appointed last month, faced chants of “Nathan Jones, your football is s***” during a dire first half, but was applauded by the away end after goals from James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong saw them come from behind to win.
And a defiant Jones said: “I’m proud of the group. We pressed with aggression and that’s the real pleasing thing because we want to be a real high tempo side.
“That means at times we will give the ball away. But that doesn’t mean that my football is s***.”
After a horrendous defeat to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night made it four Prem losses on the bounce under Jones, Saints started awfully in south London as Odsonne Edouard fired Patrick Vieira’s side ahead.
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But two freak goals gifted by Vicente Guaita helped them out of their desperate slump and through to the fourth round.
Jones was clapped off at full-time but was wary of approaching the 3000 visiting fans.
Jones said: “If I’m honest I don’t know what kind of reception I’m going to get when I go over there. So I went over there to make sure.
“So when I went over there today got a good reception. I was very pleased with that.”
After a shaky start it didn’t take long for Southampton to crack.
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Mohammed Salisu hooked an aimless ball forwards over his head which was pounced upon by Joachim Andersen.
The Dane’s first-time ball was moved into the path of Edouard with one touch from Zaha, the French forward skipped through the Saints’ defence with ease and fired past Gavin Bazunu.
It could have been two moments later.
Zaha slipped Michael Olise in down the left with a wonderful back-heel to wrong foot the Southampton defence, who were fortunate not to concede again when Jordan Ayew turned the low cross onto the bar.
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Southampton fans had seen enough and rounded on Jones – loudly deriding his style and tactics.
Their mood improved soon after, however.
Minutes after Ward-Prowse had tried to catch Guaita out with a canny free-kick which was punched clear, the England midfielder had them level with the most bizarre of set pieces.
After Joel Ward had tripped Joe Aribo 45 yards from goal down the left, Ward-Prowse sent a dipping cross towards the back post which was left alone by everyone, including the Palace keeper, who watched it bounce and spin into his far corner.
The goal lifted the doom and gloom from the visitors, who were much improved after the break.
Guaita pulled off a fine save to deny Armstrong as the No9 sent a header looping towards the far post from Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ cross.
But the Eagles keeper was not so sharp moments later when, faced with Armstrong charging him down, he could not clear the ball before the striker arrived.
Armstrong dived in front of Guiata’s clearance, took a touch to settle himself and rolled just his second goal of the season into the empty net.
Jones responded by sending on Kyle Walker-Peters and moving to a back five as Palace searched for a leveller.
Southampton managed to hang on and Jones risked the briefest of acknowledgements towards the travelling supporters. He knows there is still a way to go.
