Stuart Armstrong Southampton
Stuart Armstrong admits Saints were left “very disappointed” with the decision not to be awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Leicester City’s opening goal on Saturday evening. Saints felt Ibrahima Diallo had been pulled back by Wilfred Ndidi as he looked to break clear for the visitors. Referee Stuart Attwell waved play on, allowing Leicester to retrieve possession before Youri Tielemans played in James Maddison to score. The hosts went on to win 2-0 with Harvey Barnes adding a late second. Asked if he feels Saints should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Maddison’s goal, midfielder
Stuart Armstrong said “We were pretty disappointed. We thought there might have been a hint of offside and before that there was definitely a foul on Ibra, which the referee didn’t give. We were all very disappointed with that. That’s the frustrating part of the game, when a decision doesn’t go for you and ultimately it leads in a goal. There’s been a lot of talk about VAR and things and because it’s there people expect you to look back on every single piece of play. But that was something the referee needs to see. We as players feel very strongly. I’ve not seen it back but being there in the flesh only five yards away, I’m pretty sure it was a foul and he didn’t give it. So, very frustrating from our side. There was a point I thought it might sneak in but it was not to be, There was a couple of other opportunities. We just had to keep pushing and pushing. When you’re 1-0 down they always get deeper and more solid. It does make it difficult and it just wasn’t there for us.”
