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Mark Hughes warns Southampton must toughen up or face Premier League relegation after Chelsea loss: 'At times we are a little bit honest'

Mark Hughes now knows he must turn his Saints into sinners if they are to avoid Premier League relegation.

He found out the hard way on Saturday as Southampton squandered a two-goal lead in his first home game in charge, Chelsea fleeing St Mary's with three points after showing all the cunning and guile their opponents lacked.

The margins were fine, but they were there for all too see.

Mark Hughes has claimed his Southampton players must toughen up to survive this season
Mark Hughes has claimed his Southampton players must toughen up to survive this season

Where Shane Long got straight to his feet when hauled down by Andreas Christensen inside the box, Marcos Alonso went to ground under the hint of a challenge to earn the free-kick that led to the winner.