Martin fumes at 'pointless' PGMOL meeting after another costly decision

SAINTS manager Russell Martin insisted "I really like Howard Webb" but fumed at the idea of another "pointless" meeting over VAR decisions.

Martin felt his team were denied a "100 per cent" penalty, which could have put Saints 3-1 up, in Sunday's eventual 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool.

Saints were awarded a spot-kick in the first half, from which Adam Armstrong needed two attempts to score, but should have had another.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher clattered into the Saints number nine in the 60th minute but a free-kick was awarded for a later handball.

Mohamed Salah went on to score twice to secure the league leaders three points from 2-1 down, with his 83rd-minute penalty rubbing salt in the wounds.

"We should have had a penalty on Adam Armstrong 100 per cent. I'm sure I'll have a.. well, I think it's pointless having another chat," said Martin.

"I really like Howard Webb but I don't know what they will say. It's gone to VAR for a check. The goalkeeper comes out and it's at 2-1 at that point.

PGMOL boss Howard Webb has been in contact with Russell Martin this season (Image: PA)"Adam Armstrong is trying to play the ball with a goal. He comes out and misses the ball and then affects Arma's run so he makes contact with Adam.

"I think it's a foul regardless of what defenders are around. He makes contact and misses the ball. By my definition of the law as a footballer, that's a foul.

"It gets given as a handball against Arma after the foul. Connor Bradley's pulling Arma, Arma's pulling him a bit. That's six to one, half a dozen to the other.

"But Kelleher misses the ball. It's the other side of him when he makes contact with Arma's legs. My understanding of the game is that's a penalty."

Saints boss Martin revealed referee board PGMOL held a meeting with the club's executive staff in the wake of the 2-0 defeat at Wolves earlier this month.

Martin said PGMOL chief Webb attempted to explain the decisions, which saw a Ryan Manning equaliser ruled out and Matheus Cunha's goal allowed to stand.

The PGMOL had already acknowledged an officiating mistake not awarding Saints a penalty in the 3-2 defeat at home to Leicester City in October.

Southampton's first-half penalty against Liverpool also came in controversial circumstances, with Andy Robertson's foul on Tyler Dibling potentially occurring outside the box.

The Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Robertson on Dibling is checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was no conclusive evidence that the contact occurred outside the penalty area."