The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
CHELSEA SOUTHAMPTON
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Mark Hughes was baffled as to why the video assistant referee was not consulted for a “matchdefining” moment in Southampton’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
Blues goalkeeper Willy Caballero dropped the ball into his own net during the second half at Wembley but referee Martin Atkinson disallowed the goal and penalised Saints striker Charlie Austin for a foul.
Chelsea were 1-0 up at that stage thanks to Olivier Giroud, and substitute Alvaro Morata sealed a 2-0 success with a late header.
Saints boss Hughes was disappointed with the overall performance of the officials and believes Atkinson should have utilised VAR technology following Caballero’s fumble.
“There’s disappointment because the goalkeeper’s made a wrong decision, basically thrown the ball into the back of his net,” the Welshman said.
“If ever there was a situation for VAR to review that, this was it.
“It was a match-defining moment. Who knows how the game might have followed from that moment. We’re disappointed with the officials and whoever it is who sits in a darkened room.”
Despite the controversy, Hughes’ men were second best for most of yesterday’s game.
Chelsea, inspired by Eden Hazard, will now face Manchester United in next month’s final, with Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho set to go headto-head once again.
The pair have clashed numerous times in the recent past, though both played down their feud before their league meeting in February. l Pep Guardiola was happy to share Manchester City’s Premier League triumph with a pitch full of fans, describing the
“Disappointed with the officials and whoever it is who sits in a darkened room”
celebratory invasion “a beautiful thing”.
City were confirmed as champions last weekend and played the part with aplomb at the Etihad, hammering Swansea 5-0 in a dominant display.
David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus all hit the target, taking City to 90 points and 98 goals for the season.
Once the full-time whistle blew, hundreds of supporters raced on to the field to take in the moment – an act that is likely to attract the attention of the FA. as