..AND GRACIA’S UNHAPPY TOO
IF Simon Hooper fancies a pre-christmas getaway, he should probably avoid the South Coast.
Because the referee is unlikely to be welcome in Southampton any time soon after an error-strewn performance that left Mark Hughes and his players fuming.
Struggling Saints are still looking for their first home win of the season after Jose Holebas cancelled out Manolo Gabbiadini’s opener.
But it could have been so different had Charlie Austin’s 66th-minute strike not been ruled out in bizarre circumstances.
The forward thought he had given his side some muchneeded breathing room when he scuffed home from Nathan Redmond’s cross, only for Hooper to bring play back for a Watford free-kick. St Mary’s was stunned and confused.
“The referee said I was offside, but the ball was miles away from me,” complained Maya Yoshida, the man penalised. “The shot had a double touch and a slight deflection but I didn’t touch it.
“It’s the wrong decision, 100 per cent. At 2-0, it’s over. We spoke at half-time about getting a second goal, knowing it was going to be really important, and we did. The game changed after a wrong decision from the referee. It’s really unacceptable.”
Austin, who celebrated for a good 30 seconds before being informed the goal would not stand, was similarly baffled. “It’s a poor decision and we’ve been hard done by,” he said, before calling for the introduction of VAR: “Why aren’t we helping them? It’s clear they need it.”
In fairness, Watford should have had a penalty when Nathaniel Chalobah was brought down by Ryan Bertrand, who, having been booked in the first half, would have had to walk. The Hornets might even have snatched all three points after Holebas’ deflected effort set up a late siege of Alex Mccarthy’s goal.
But Saints will view this as an opportunity missed after an encouraging display.
Home form remains a huge concern – one league win in 17 on their own patch – but this did not look a team that has given up on Hughes just yet.
The fighting spirit was WATFORD boss Javi Gracia said he would back a referees’ vote on VAR after a tough day for the officials.
The Hornets were denied a penalty just before the hour, while Southampton had a goal unfairly ruled out.
Gracia sympathised with ref Simon Hooper and would be open to video technology. “If they want it, I agree,” said the Spaniard. “If they think it helps them to do their job better, I support them.
“I know it’s not easy. Sometimes in training sessions, I’m the referee. I know it’s very, very difficult to manage all the players, all of them complaining.” typified by Gabbiadini, who ended his own St Mary’s drought after 391 days and generally like a man possessed, chasing Watford’s defenders with uncommon commitment.
Will it be enough to silence the critics over the international break? That remains to be seen, but Austin was able to find reason for optimism. “We are so close,” he added. “I don’t think it’s a confidence thing.
“When you look at what’s happened today, it should have been a win. If you stick together, it turns around.” Despite the controversy, Gracia defended the standard of officiating in the Premier League. “In other countries, everybody speaks about the level of the referees here,” he added. “They deserve the recognition. It’s a good level.”