Southampton manager Nathan Jones was delighted with the performance of Paul Onuachu despite his side's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo scored late in the first half before Mathias Jensen headed home with ten minutes remaining to wrap up the scoring.

Onuachu joined the Saints on a three-and-a-half year deal on deadline day for a a guaranteed fee of 18 million euros which could rise to 21 million euros with performance-related add-ons. 

The attacker was issued a work permit ahead of the clash, paving the way for him to be named in the traveling party to the English capital. 

Onuachu and another deadline day signing Kamaldeen Sulemana were thrown into the game for their Premier League debuts at halftime with Southampton trailing by two goals. 

Jones was encouraged by the performance of Onuachu and highlighted that the Nigerian showcased his aerial prowess during the game. 

Despite spending only 45 minutes on the pitch, the Southampton number 12 won a team-high six aerial duels. 

Assessing the performance of Onuachu and Sulemana, Jones said to Southampton's official website :  "They made a difference. They gave us an impetus and we looked better, put more balls in the box and were a better team."

Onuachu will be hoping to make his home debut in Southampton's meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the St. Mary's Stadium next Saturday .

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com

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