OptiNews - Friday 12 to Thursday 18 January 2018

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino says Watford equaliser was a clear handball

Show/hide article…

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino was left frustrated by Watford’s last-minute equaliser from Abdoulaye Doucoure after the midfielder scored with his hand.

Two James Ward-Prowse goals looked to have set Southampton on their way to their first win in 10 league games, but Watford fought back in the second half as Andre Gray pulled one back before Doucoure’s controversial goal late on.

Doucoure latched onto a chipped pass from Troy Deeney in the 90th minute, but missed the ball with his head so palmed it beyond the onrushing Alex McCarthy. Southampton’s protestations to referee Roger East were lengthy but to no avail.

“It is so clear, the linesman is there but there’s nothing we can do,” said Pellegrino.

"We expect this that they will react, especially with direct play with the strikers but I think we controlled well much of the time. But with this direct action we didn’t have this fortune that you need to win this type of game.

"For us it is difficult to analyse as they didn’t create many chances. But for long ball, second ball, they’ve got strong players and every single action is dangerous.

“We made a couple of mistakes in the second half but even with this we didn’t deserve to draw this game.”

Southampton were the dominant force in the first half but could not reach that level after the break, and Pellegrino was keen to focus on the positives.

“This is football, the Premier League is really tight but we have to keep going, I think we can build something important,” he added.

“We have to think that we played 45 minutes really well and after we played more or less okay. The fortune wasn’t with us today but we have to keep pushing.”

Shane Long helped create Southampton’s two goals, with the second coming via some great link-up play with Dusan Tadic, something which was a boost to the under-pressure Pellegrino.

He said: “Now they [Long and Tadic] are working well, most of the team is working well, it was a difficult game on a difficult pitch. But I think playing in this way, we will get points.”

Go to the original article…

...difficultly generated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

View our photographer’s images from a dramatic clash between #WatfordFC and #SaintsFC: http://sfcne.ws/Gallery130118

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 8

...poutily synergised by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Pellegrino: Handball was clear

Show/hide article…

Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino was disappointed to see Watford’s late equaliser not ruled out for handball after his side drew 2-2 in the Premier League.

Go to the original article…

...languishingly hewn by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 13/01/2018 22:16:23

| | Pellegrino calls for VAR after “injustice” extends Saints woesNBCSPORTS |

...intangibly given rise to by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Marco Silva feels for Southampton after controversial Watford equaliser

Show/hide article…

Watford manager Marco Silva sympathised with Southampton after a late handball cost Mauricio Pellegrino’s side two points at Vicarage Road.

Abdoulaye Doucoure palmed the ball into the net from close range late on to earn the Hornets a 2-2 draw, much to the annoyance of the visitors.

The home team had been two goals down at the break following a James Ward-Prowse double, but an Andre Gray header and Doucoure’s equaliser earned Watford a point.

As someone who has fallen victim to incorrect decisions of officials in the past, Silva knows the frustration of being caught out by an error.

“Everybody has seen the goal, I don’t need to talk about the goal,” Silva said. "Something can happen, and this season we’ve had other moments when the decisions are against us, but that is football.

“I understand Southampton, I understand their manager, they are unhappy like I was more than one time in games when mistakes are against us.”

Watford skipper Troy Deeney, who came on for the second-half, gave an honest assessment on the goal, telling Sky Sports: “If VAR had come in we probably wouldn’t get that but today we got it. It’s the luck of the draw.”

Watford endured a poor opening 45 minutes as they were over-ran by Southampton from the first whistle, resulting in Silva making a change before the break as he looked to alter their tactics.

Silva introduced Deeney at half-time and the striker took the captain’s armband as he set about turning the game around, with Watford on top for the remainder of the match, Deeney having a key involvement in both their goals.

“There were two different halves, clear,” added Silva. "We had one good chance in the first half with Andre [Gray], we didn’t score that moment and after that they scored the goal; a clear lack of concentration, focus, right mentality, right attitude of our team. And after it was like the first half finished and we didn’t play more in the first half.

“We conceded the goal in the last minute because we didn’t have the right attitude. I told them that it’s important we recognise our team on the pitch and in the first half we did not recognise. But our attitude, the right commitment you need all the time and in the second half we controlled it.”

Even though Watford were lucky to escape with a point, Silva thinks they could have had more from the game.

“We scored two goals, we had clear chance to score more goals,” he said.

“Even with more risk with two strikers with Doucoure in the middle, with Pereyra as well, they created one chance in the second half. It was a game of two halves; we didn’t play the first, but we did play the second.”

Go to the original article…

...discernibly begot by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Thompson: Watford fortunate to draw

Show/hide article…

Phil Thompson shares his thoughts on the entertaining 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road between Watford and Southampton.

Go to the original article…

...genuinely carved by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

“We have to change our mentality from protecting what we’ve got to improving on what we’ve got.”

@Prowsey16 on… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/952314818631028737

Retweets: 2

Favourites: 10

...unreservedly put together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 13/01/2018 23:16:36

|

| ‘I thought Maradona’s was the worst I’d ever seen’ - Southampton fans rage at baffling momentFOOTBALLFANCAST |

...flavorfully thrown together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from BBC article

The weekend’s best Premier League stats: Harry Kane, Chelsea, Southampton, David Moyes, Abdoulaye Doucoure

Show/hide article…

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s controversial goal for Watford marked an unwanted milestone for Southampton, Chris Hughton’s struggles against Alan Pardew continue, Rafa Benitez has problems at Newcastle and Harry Kane has another record.

Here are the 11 best stats from Saturday’s Premier League action:

Go to the original article…

...unaccountably formed by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from talkSPORT article

Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino calls for VAR after Watford’s controversial late equaliser

Show/hide article…

Mauricio Pellegrino wants video technology to be introduced in the Premier League after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s controversial last-gasp equaliser denied Southampton a first win in 10 matches.

The midfielder diverted the ball in with his arm a minute before full-time as Watford came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw.

James Ward-Prowse had scored twice in the first half before Andre Gray pulled one back - and Saints were crestfallen when Doucoure’s equaliser was allowed to stand.

Asked whether he felt his team were robbed, the Saints boss said: “Yes, I think so.

“I think we controlled [the game] well. I don’t remember too many actual, clear chances [for them] to score.

“We are a little bit sad for many reasons.

“The technology helps every single sport, why not in football?”

Southampton protested long and hard to referee Roger East but to no avail, with a draw leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.

Go to the original article…

...obscurely spawned by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Video: Ward-Prowse disappointed by Watford draw

Show/hide article…

Watch as Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse reflects on the 2-2 draw at Watford, after his first-half brace was cancelled out by goals from Andre Gray and a controversial Abdoulaye Doucoure strike.

Go to the original article…

...pallidly thought-up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from The Independent article

Abdoulaye Doucoure scores controversial late goal as Watford hold Southampton

Show/hide article…

It’s now 10 games without a win for Southampton after second-half headers from Andre Gray and Doucoure cancelled out a James Ward-Prowse double.

In the battle of two out of form sides, Southampton will be kicking themselves for failing to ease the pressure on manager Mauricio Pellegrino. But Doucoure’s strike might not have stood as he replays showed he bundled the ball home with his hand.

There was no VAR here but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any early confusion with the officials. Shane Long was level when he collected Oriol Romeu’s pass and the Irishman saw his tame shot pushed out by Heurelho Gomes.

All the players stopped as they waited for a flag which eventually came but if the ball had beaten Gomes then referee Roger East would have had a big decision to make.

As it was, just like it has gone for Long over a prolonged space of time, the ball stayed out.

Watford took their time to settle down but Gray missed a golden chance to ease any tension. Doucoure’s cross found Gray unmarked but he could only kick thin air and Southampton escaped.

Moments later Alex McCarthy, keeping Fraser Forster out once again in he Southampton goal, tipped over Daryl Janmaat’s long-range shot.

Despite the scare, Southampton were troubling the hosts on the counter-attack. Long, in particular, was causing a nuisance and it was his run which led to the 20th minute opener.

Long burst down the right flank and his cross was diverted to Ward-Prowse, who had too much time to control the ball and pick his spot from 12-yards out.

Just like last weekend, Ward-Prowse had struck in the 1-0 FA Cup win at Fulham and they would be hoping history would repeat itself here.

Long, who did break his long drought earlier this month, could have had another three minutes later. Dusan Tadic turned his marker inside out and his cross saw Long loop a header which was clawed out by Gomes.

Southampton looked a team revitalised and even Wesley Hoedt was trying his luck from distance, with Gomes backtracking to keep out the audacious 40-yard shot.

Watford were all at sea and another Southampton chance went begging in the 33rd minute. Tadic again skipped past his man and his cross found Long, whose goalbound shot was blocked by Marvin Zeegelaar.

The home fans were becoming increasingly frustrated and then they reacted with anger when Tom Cleverley was hooked for Roberto Pereyra after just 35 minutes.

There appeared no injury with Silva deciding on reshaping his team that had been under the cosh. No that is made a jot of difference as Ward-Prowse would punish Watford with a fine counter-attacking goal in the 44th minute.

Long outpaced Molla Wague and his pass saw Tadic’s beautifully weighted pass set up Ward-Prowse for the simplest of finishes.

On the day of Graham Taylor’s anniversary of his death, it wasn’t what Watford had in mind. Silva threw on Troy Deeney at the break and it was a different game as Southampton were now being pinned back.

Pereyra curled wide when well placed. But the comeback was on when Janmaat’s shot was pushed onto the crossbar and Gray followed up to head home the loose ball in the 58th minute.

Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg headed over in a rare Southampton break. But at least they were slowly taking the sting out of the game after weathering a real onslaught before Doucoure’s last-gasp intervention.

Go to the original article…

...meticulously sculpted by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/01/2018 00:16:48

| | Silva and Pellegrino on Doucoure’s handballHERTFORDSHIREMERCURY |

...disquietedly modelled by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Watford 2-2 Saints

Show/hide article…

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. View cookie policy.

Go to the original article…

...boilingly brought into being by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from BBC article

DEFAULT’A very clear handball’: Where was VAR when it was needed?

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/01/2018 01:17:23

| | Mauricio Pellegrino calls for use of VARSPORTSMOLE |
| | Controversial goal costs Saints win in EPL - ArticleTSNCA |
| | Pellegrino calls for VAR after handball controversyEIRSPORT |
| | Pellegrino frustrated about late goalREADSOUTHAMPTON |
|

| New calls for VAR after dubious Premier League decisionsSBSWORLDNEWSAUS |
| | Pellegrino calls for VAR after controversial Doucoure equaliserAOLCOUK |
| | Instant Reactions - Watford v Southampton (13/1/18)VITALFOOTBALL |

...irreverently generated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Watford 2-2 Southampton - as it happened

Show/hide article…

Get involved with the news in your community

Go to the original article…

...offensively coined by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Watford 2-2 Southampton - are you in our fans pics?

Show/hide article…

Saints were robbed of victory by a goal which never have stood, after Abdoulaye Doucoure handled the ball into the net at the back post as the ball bounced up to him to level the score on 90 minutes.

After Saints went in 2-0 at the break, Andre Gray made it 2-1 on 58 minutes, heading in after Alex McCarthy had tipped Daryl Janmaat’s shot onto the crossbar.

James Ward-Prowse had given the visitors a comfortable lead in the first half, slotting home through a crowded box on 21 minutes.

The England international then polished off a brilliant counter-attack by Shane Long to double the advantage.

Saints sat back in the second half and were cruely defeated in the end.

Chief photographer Stuart Martin was at Vicarage Road to capture all of the action between Watford and Southampton in the Premier League - so be sure to check out the pictures above.

Go to the original article…

...boringly contrived by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Watford 2-2 Southampton: Saints draw after late controversial equaliser

Show/hide article…

The midfielder diverted the ball in with his arm a minute before full-time as Watford came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw.

James Ward-Prowse had scored twice in the first half before Andre Gray pulled one back - and Saints were crestfallen when Doucoure’s equaliser was allowed to stand.

He stooped to nod into the net - but the ball missed his head and he swept it home with his arm.

Southampton protested long and hard to referee Roger East but to no avail, with a draw leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.

It was a cruel end to a bright display from the visitors, whose attack was superbly led by Shane Long, the architect of both their goals.

The striker certainly has a spring in his step again after ending a 35-match goal drought against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

He was denied by a narrow offside decision, a last-ditch tackle from Christian Kabasele and the onrushing Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes all in the opening 15 minutes.

Gray should have put Watford ahead but took an air shot in front of goal from Doucoure’s cross, before Daryl Janmaat’s drive was tipped over by Alex McCarthy.

Instead Southampton took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to the industrious Long and some generous Watford defending.

Ward-Prowse, Saints’ goalscorer in their FA Cup win at Fulham last weekend, collected Long’s cutback and had all the time in the world to pick his spot before slotting home from 12 yards.

Buoyed after scoring only their eighth away league goal of the season, the visitors went in search of more with defender Wesley Hoedt trying his luck from 45 yards, forcing Gomes to touch the ball over.

And they were rewarded moments before half-time when Hoedt’s clearance on the edge of the area left Long with a 60-yard foot race against Molla Wague. The Irishman tore past the full-back along the left touchline before squaring to Dusan Tadic, who laid the ball off for Ward-Prowse to smash home.

Watford were booed off at the break but hauled themselves back into the game before the hour mark after McCarthy had pushed Janmaat’s drive against the crossbar. Gray reacted quickest to bundle the loose ball over the line for his fourth goal of the season.

And with time running out Doucoure’s sucker punch from Troy Deeney’s header back across goal denied Saints a valuable victory.

Go to the original article…

...ceaselessly built by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

[Optimus-trousers]

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Watford 2-2 Southampton: Pellegrino refuses to condemn error ref

Show/hide article…

Mauricio Pellegrino refused to criticise referee Roger East, despite believing that the referee made a terrible error in allowing Watford a late equaliser at Vicarage Road.

Abdoulaye Doucoure clearly handled home an equaliser as the Hornets came back from two goals down to grab a point against Saints.

Pellegrino accepted the error with great dignity, despite being clearly frustrated at the result and the way it came about.

He said: “Obviously my feeling is like all my players in the dressing room.

“We are a little bit sad because even in the second half when Watford tried to push us and were playing more direct in this moment I think most of the time we control well.

“I don’t remember many chances for them.

“Obviously the last goal is something that surprised me because in the Premier League the level of the referee is good but this action is so clear.

“Everybody makes mistakes but at this level the problem is when you have got a lot of thing to play to win and to lose obviously my feeling is that we are a little bit disappointed.”

Pellegrino insisted there was no point in him trying to approach East to discuss the decision, and instead Saints need to focus on moving forward.

“No. I try to speak during the game with the fourth referee because I don’t have contact with the referee,” said the Saints boss.

“Now I think we have to support this person because everybody makes mistakes.”

He added: “From the bench it is more difficult for me to see but maybe for the referee and linesman are more close.

“I don’t want to do more comment about that because nothing will change with my comments.

“In the Premier League the level of the referee is good and so I am surprised about this decision but this is part of my job.

“At this level even the referee has got pressure too.

“Everybody at this level has to try to do the best every single day because at this level I imagine the referee is not happy right now.

“Obviously for me the good news is to keep going and keep playing in this way like the first half and everything will be easy.”

Pellegrino had spoken before the match about the benefits of video technology and the VAR system, and reiterated it after the Watford controversy.

“I think we have to try the technology because every single team sport the technology helps us to make better decision and why not football,” reckoned Pellegrino.

“We have to try and after analyse.”

Go to the original article…

...hellishly developed by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!