Russell Martin was left “frustrated” after VAR controversially ruled out a potentially match-winning goal for Southampton against Brighton.
Cameron Archer thought he had put the Saints ahead 68 minutes in, but after a five minute VAR check, the goal was disallowed – with Adam Armstrong deemed to be interfering with play in an offside position.
Southampton were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Amex, in a tense match that saw both managers disappointed post-match.
Martin said on VAR’s intervention: “I’m not angry with them, it’s so difficult.
”It’s about interpretation on how much he [Armstrong] affects the goalkeeper, which is the reason we’ve been told has been disallowed… Does he move because of Armstrong’s position? He doesn’t. He actually takes a step away to Archer.
“If we want the process to get better, let’s really understand the decision we’re making and why, and let’s be really honest about it.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game was tense through the entire second half. Bookings were shown to the backroom staff of each team, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also booked.
Hurzeler and Martin had a couple heated exchanges during and immediately after the game. Hurzeler said on their confrontations: “You have to ask him. I think it’s so important to respect each other.”
Martin was asked about this, and said: “Respect is reciprocal, it’s mutual.
“The amount of times in the opposition dugout that they asked for a booking for one of our players, I’ve never known it to be that level.”
Embed from Getty ImagesBrighton’s dugout frustration was largely focused at Saints goalscorer Flynn Downes. He pulled down Joao Pedro for his fifth foul, but escaped a second yellow.
Hurzeler said regarding Downes: “There’s no explanation for that, that’s something that changes the game. It changed the game in Bournemouth [when Carlos Baleba was sent off].
“You have to be very careful what you say in England. My yellow card is also something I can’t understand and I have to adapt to this here.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Seagulls dominated the first half and could have scored more than once before half-time. Their performance dried up in the second half, however.
Hurzeler said: “In the first half, we had enough chances to win the game and we didn’t use them, and then we were not stable enough to defend and prevent the goal.
”I think we already had bad experiences this season with games like this at home. I’m not so annoyed to be honest, it’s more the fact that we weren’t able to continue our performance in the second half. I’m not too focused on the result.”
Even though Brighton are second in the Premier League, Hurzeler isn’t too bothered by his side’s position.
“We should focus more on the performances and today was not our best performance. We have to be honest with ourselves that this can’t be our identity, this can’t be our style of play… We have to apologize for the second half,” he said.
A Thursday night trip to Fulham awaits for Brighton.
