During Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Leicester City, there was controversy over a denied penalty for Southampton. Saints were denied a spot-kick for a “clear foul” on substitute Paul Onuachu. While leading 2-1, under pressure from Leicester, Jordan Ayew pulled the Nigerian’s shirt as he attacked a cross in the Leicester box. Despite staying on his feet, neither referee Anthony Taylor nor the VAR officials awarded a foul that could have restored a two-goal lead for Saints. Leicester leveled with Jamie Vardy’s goal, and Ryan Fraser was sent off for a shirt pull on Vardy.
Russell Martin said, “I think one’s right on the goal line so it’s a bit different but I think if Paul goes down it makes a big deal because it’s a huge shirt pull. It’s much bigger than Ryan Fraser’s. But I don’t know if they have looked at it and said no or if they haven’t, I don’t know what that process is.”
Former Premier League referee Gallagher analyzed the decision-making after the match. Gallagher said, “I thought it was a penalty. If you hold a player’s shirt for five steps, which he does, that’s sustained. They were of the opinion the goalkeeper would have got the ball anyhow.”
During the match, Saints legend Matt Le Tissier voiced his frustration. Le Tissier posted on X, “Anthony Taylor has done everything in his powers to get Leicester back in this game. Still not learning to have a man on the edge of the box at corners is shocking. Did we not learn from the Ipswich game?”
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