Lallana's as good as Wes says Pardew

Saints boss Alan Pardew said he was frustrated that his side twice blew chances to gain valuable league points.

Goals by Adam Lallana and David Connolly were top drawer, but City's never-say-die attitude earned them a share of the spoils - and Pardew admitted his team still had plenty to learn.

"We were quite happy with the way it was going first half and we sacrificed a little bit of possession to catch them on the break," he said.

"In the second half they came out and caused us a lot of problems because their reaction to being a goal behind was first class and it forced us into a change, but it was one we were comfortable with because Adam Lallana is as good as Hoolahan in that position.

"He came up with some clever play to give Connolly the chance - it was a brilliant goal from him.

"We should have then made the game ugly and shut up shop, but we like the entertainment factor and gave them a chance to get back in it because it was too open for me.

"We've got a bit of learning to do and they are further down the line than us in terms of the players Paul Lambert has inherited and the work they've done, but we are getting better."

One thing the managers did agree on was the quality of the game.

"We are disappointed we didn't win, but it was an absolutely brilliant game," said Pardew. "It was a game that would have graced a higher division, Norwich were as good as us and there were chances galore."