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“SOUTHAMPTON were clearky RUBBED, that was a clear PENALTY”- Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Leicester City were fortunate to get away with one major incident in their win against Southampton.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Leicester City were fortunate to escape a key incident during their victory over Southampton.
The Foxes rallied from two goals down to secure a 3-2 win in a crucial early-season relegation battle. As a result, Steve Cooper’s side now sits 13th and is starting to find their rhythm after eight matches.
While they can celebrate this vital win, there was a moment in the game that Leicester can feel lucky to have avoided a penalty call.
Gallagher noted that Southampton should have been awarded a penalty after a challenge involving substitute Jordan Ayew, who pulled Paul Onuachu’s shirt in the box just before Leicester equalized from the penalty spot. Ryan Fraser’s foul on Jamie Vardy led to a red card for Fraser, and Vardy converted the resulting penalty, continuing his impressive scoring streak against Southampton.
Despite a clear view of Ayew’s foul, neither referee Anthony Taylor nor VAR reviewed the incident. During a discussion on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher stated he would have awarded the penalty. “I thought it was a penalty,” he said. “Holding a player’s shirt for five steps is a foul. Even if he hadn’t gone down, I believe it should have been called, as the goalkeeper would still have been at a disadvantage.”
Steve Cooper is gaining recognition for his tactical adjustments that turned the game around, although some criticisms remain, particularly regarding his decision not to start Abdul Fatawu, who has drawn comparisons to Bukayo Saka. Nevertheless, Cooper has always believed in his team’s potential.
After the match, he commented, “I don’t want to sound like a smart aleck, but I genuinely felt we were still in the game at halftime, and I think the players did too. I hope this day will be memorable for our supporters as we strive for a successful season. The corner at the end wasn’t just routine; it was instinctive decision-making, and we’re thankful for it.”
