Hughes' ref rage as Saints boss fumes: we didn't deserve that

Mark Hughes described Southampton’s late dropped points at Everton as an injustice as they surrendered the opportunity to enhance their Premier League survival chances.

The struggling Saints are out of the bottom three following the controversial 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

But it could have been so much more. They failed to go two points ahead of Swansea thanks to a controversial Toffees leveller as tension increase.

AS IT UNFOLDED: Everton v Southampton

READ MORE: Late agony for Saints and Everton goals keeps West Brom alive

Hughes was not happy with the officials, with referee Jon Moss coming under fire from the manager.

“We’re disappointed because we haven’t got what we deserved – that’s sport and that’s football, sometimes that happens,” said the boss.

“We clipped a great ball into the corner for Nathan to chase down. He’s done better than anybody could’ve expected to win the ball and the assistant referee hasn’t flagged.

“We should be allowed to carry on. Lo and behold Jon Moss, who is 30 yards behind play, decides to give a free kick when he clearly can’t see what we see.

“He then compounds the problem by allowing them to play the ball ten or 15 yards away from where it should be.“In the end, we’ve probably made a couple of wrong decisions, which can happen when you’re down to ten men and tiredness plays a part.

“With hindsight, Ryan (Bertrand) knows he should allow the ball to go out and we can defend the throw-in with ten or 15 seconds left in the game.”