Southampton have been denied victory by a controversial VAR choice in a 1-1 draw at high-flying Brighton on Friday. Flynn Downes had simply cancelled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener for Brighton when Cameron Archer thought he had put the Saints 2-1 up. A VAR verify of greater than 4 minutes ultimately determined Archer was onside however penalised Adam Armstrong, who was offside however didn’t contact the ball, for interfering with play. Southampton needed to accept a primary away level of the season in consequence and stay backside of the desk, 4 factors adrift of security.
Some extent was sufficient to raise Brighton as much as second on alphabetical order forward of Manchester City, who face leaders Liverpool within the choose of the weekend’s motion on Sunday.
Brighton have been left to rue not making extra of a dominant first-half show.
Georginio Rutter hit the submit and fired one other effort vast, whereas Mitoma wasted an enormous probability within the opening phases.
Brighton’s strain lastly paid off on the half hour mark when Mitoma stooped to move in Tariq Lamptey’s cross.
Southampton levelled 13 minutes into the second half with the spectacular Tyler Dibling the architect.
The teenager’s sq. ball teed up Armstrong, whose shot was blocked, however the free ball discovered its solution to Downes, who hammered dwelling first time from the sting of the realm.
Eight minutes later Dibling wriggled away from three Brighton gamers inside his personal half after which unfold the ball to Fraser.
His low cross evaded Armstrong and was completed on the far submit by Archer – solely to be chalked off to the dismay of boss Russell Martin.
“I’m fed up speaking about choices,” mentioned Martin.
“We have been informed it impacts Bart Verbruggen means (to play the ball) and if Adam’s run moved Verbruggen from his place then I’d perceive the choice, however he hasn’t moved.
“I can not see the way it has affected the goalkeeper.”
The VAR delay led to 13 minutes of added time and Brighton almost snatched victory on the loss of life.
Simon Adingra’s effort on the stretch flicked off the skin of the far submit.
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