PGMOL boss Howard Webb admitted VAR would have stuck with whatever on-field decision was made after officials released audio explaining why Crystal Palace's controversial goal was allowed to stand in the recent 2-1 defeat.

Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was denied a foul when Trevoh Chalobah scored the equaliser in the Premier League clash 10 days ago.

Ivan Juric's side took the lead through Tyler Dibling inside just 15 minutes, but after half an hour, the defender's header from a corner evened the scores.

Saints strongly protested to referee Michael Salisbury that the goal should not have stood due to Jean-Phillipe Mateta's straight-arm push on Ramsdale.

Salisbury awarded the goal on-field and, after determining Mateta merely "rests his arm" on Ramsdale, VAR Graham Scott completed the check.

A full transcript of the officiating discussion released details the conversation: 

• VAR Scott: "Potential foul on the goalkeeper."

• Referee Salisbury: "I've got goal down, can you tell me any different Del (Derek Eaton, assistant referee)?"

• Assistant referee Eaton: "Nothing to me, I didn't see any holding."

• VAR Scott: "Checking the on-field decision of goal. Looking at the actions of Mateta and the actions of Ramsdale. Once more. There is contact, but I don't see a clear foul. It's headed. Is there an offside? No."

• Assistant VAR Akil Howson: "There's a player on the line. There's not an offside."

• VAR Scott: "Do we see anything?"

• AVAR Howson: "I personally think they're both engaged. Ramsdale's engaged with Mateta and I don't think it's a foul. There's not a clear action from him.

• VAR Scott: "I can't see enough to disallow a goal. He rests his hand on him but I don't think he pushes. Sal, confirming the on-field decision of goal."

The audio was released on Sky Sports programme Mic'd Up, on which Premier League legend Michael Owen and referee chief Webb dissect big decisions.

After hearing the audio, Owen said: "I agreed with the last one but I don't agree with this one. I think that's a foul on Ramsdale, what's your take?

"That looks to me like it's a straight arm from Mateta onto Ramsdale and he's preventing him from having a clear jump at the ball."

Webb responded: "I see both players engaging with each other. We heard the officials on the clip talking about engagement between Mateta and by Ramsdale.

PGMOL boss Howard Webb has made multiple phone calls to Saints after controversial refereeing decisions this season (Image: PA)

"Both are using their arm against each other. We laid out quite clearly at the start of the season that not every bit of contact will be given as a foul.

"There's an expectation in the English game that some physical contact will be allowed that maybe doesn't go elsewhere in different parts of the world.

"In this situation, we see Ramsdale's arm go across Mateta. Mateta's left arm goes out against Ramsdale. We don't think it crosses that line into unfair physical contact.

"If the referee's call had been given as a foul, that would have stood because there's some judgment to be made here," he added.

"There's some subjectivity about how much force is being used by the two players. But we feel that this is within the bounds of acceptable contact between both players.

"Again, at this point, Ramsdale's not jumping. He's not trying to punch a ball and Mateta's not messing with his arms or his hands.

So, it's two players engaging with their feet on the floor, having body strength against each other. We were okay with this one."

Saints boss Juric made his feelings known after the match, insisting: I think it was foul and it's very difficult to defend this kind of situation."

The St Mary's side had been on the receiving end of multiple PGMOL acknowledgements under previous manager Russell Martin, who grew increasingly critical before his sacking after several controversial decisions had gone against them.