Southampton manager Russell Martin and Brighton manager Fabian Hurtzeler squared off at the end of a bad-tempered, controversial 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.
Both managers accused each other of a lack of respect after a game in which Sainz was denied a priceless winner by VAR in the second half.
Flynn Downs had just canceled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener when Cameron Archer converted Saints substitute Ryan Fraser’s cross.
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Cameron Archer’s goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review as Southampton take on Brighton in the Premier League.
A review over four minutes eventually ruled that Archer was onside, but then penalized Adam Armstrong, who was offside but not touching the ball, for interference with play.
The official explanation was that Armstrong was offside and was “considered to be affecting” Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbrugge’s ability to play the ball.
After 13 minutes of added time, in which Brighton’s Simon Adingra hit the post, both benches traded blows.
Southampton manager Russell Martin (left) and Brighton manager Fabian Hurtzeler were involved in a row at the full-time whistle.
The leaders also received a yellow card during the game. Hurtzeler for showing an imaginary yellow card in the first half and Martin for reacting to more complaining from the Brighton boss after a foul on Downs, who was booked and perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch.
When asked if Downes did not receive a second yellow, Hurzeler said: “That’s exactly what I said at halftime, and then he commits another foul.
“There’s no explaining it and it’s a game-changer. It’s a game-changer at Bournemouth (when Brighton’s Baleba was sent off).
“Today it can change the game in our direction but you have to be very careful what you say here in England because also my yellow card is something I can’t understand and I have to adapt to it.”
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FREE TO VIEW. Highlights from Brighton v Southampton in the Premier League
Asked about his main confrontation with Martin, the German said: “For me, it’s just important to have respect for each other.
“It’s so important to respect each other, how you talk to each other from the sidelines, I think that’s the most important thing, and that’s how I educate myself.”
Martin was clearly unimpressed by the palpable antics of his opposite number.
“The manager decided to say something about respect,” he said. “I’ve never known a coach to get so many players with a yellow card. The respect is mutual.”
Martin kicks Archer’s disallowed goal
Martin was also unhappy with Archer’s decision to disallow a second-half goal.
He told Sky Sports“I’m just tired of talking about decisions, I just don’t want to be that guy.
“I really respect how difficult it is for the referee and the assistant referee to make decisions on the pitch, so I understand that they can make mistakes because there’s a lot going on at the moment and it’s really difficult, but then I really struggle. accept that because the decision on the pitch is so important and it’s not really clear and obvious when I think it’s because I’ve been told that Adam Armstrong’s run affects the goalkeeper.
“I’ve seen it a lot already and had a few messages about it as well.
“We were told it affects Van Hecke’s ability to get the ball, which it doesn’t. The ball goes behind Adam and if Adam’s run had moved Verbruggen out of position at all to deal with Arma (Archer), I would understand the decision. but he hasn’t moved, the ball goes behind Adam and I can’t see how that affects the keeper, I really can’t.
“He’s actually taking a step away from Adam, so for me, understanding the game and playing it a lot, the commentary, and that’s what VAR is all about, I’d rather have the guy make a mistake on the pitch, and we can. Later on, everybody has no problem , but when they take so long to look at it, the same way we had a 2-1 penalty decision against us on Sunday (3-2 defeat to Liverpool) with Adam Armstrong still think it’s fine and Howard (Webb) and I will argue about it for ages, which we have, it’s like a problem when you have that much time to look at it.
“Interpretation is still so subjective, so I think it’s still human error because they look at it and make mistakes. Now the error is that it’s not clear and obvious enough to correct, so even if what you say I am, it is true, which. I think it is, and people who have played probably understand that, now it’s not clear and obvious enough to fix because the decision on the pitch is overwhelming, so I’m angry about it, as you can be. I think anyone would be, but I’m really happy with the game and I’m really proud of my players.”
“Minor decision, but it’s tough”
Former Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell Speaking to Sky Sports.
“If you’re a Southampton fan, staff or player, you’re going to be very disappointed.
“I understand what they’re saying in terms of Armstrong’s run, and whatever his motion is, and it’s a motion where the ball is behind him, so he’s trying to push it back here, he knows he’s too far run in front, he tries to push it back.
“If he gets contact with that ball, it’s going to affect Verbruggen where he’s going. So Verbruggen is waiting for some kind of connection from Armstrong there so you can see his eyes because he’s looking at the ball right when it goes through.” so it affects Verbruggen’s decision-making, I expect the ball to end up in the back of the net.”
Sky Sports’ Izzy Christensen.
“It’s an incredibly bitter pill for Southampton to swallow. I feel for them because this shows how they’re back in the game.
“There seemed to be a real hunger and energy about their game and we’re talking great edges.
“Cameron Archer is onside but Armstrong is slightly offside and that’s why the decision was made that way, but the ball is behind him and he’s trying to try to push it back.
“It’s minimal but it’s brutal. It took them a while to come to that decision and if you’re in the Southampton dressing room now, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
