Despite seven minutes of extra time being added, manager Tom Cleverley was incensed to watch his team surrender against Southampton on Saturday in the 99th minute.
Southampton overtook Leeds United, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City thanks to a contentious late winner.
Despite seven minutes of extra time being added, manager Tom Cleverley was incensed to watch his team surrender against Southampton on Saturday in the 99th minute.
fter watching all three of their opponents—Leeds United, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City—drop points over the weekend, Southampton won 3-2 against Watford to close the gap on their automatic promotion rivals. At St. Mary’s, Russell Martin’s team let a two-goal lead slip away, but Flynn Downes‘ heroics sealed the victory.
Two minutes after the required seven minutes of added time had elapsed, Downes looked to handle the ball before chipping in. Though Cleverley feels Sekou Mara should have also received a red card for a collision with Ryan Porteous, the late winner worried the Hornets manager the most.
“My biggest source of frustration is that (the late goal),” Cleverley said. “Ryan Porteous‘ red card incident was a sincere error. It is concerning that the corner is awarded in the 98th minute following the addition of seven minutes.
“It doesn’t really change how our campaign concludes. However, when hundreds of millions of pounds are at stake for Leicester, Ipswich, and Leeds, They might contend, in my opinion, that these games ought to be officiated by the best officials.
“I will never, ever assume responsibility for sincere errors. I regret that the corner was seized. How we got to there after the 98th minute is beyond me. This is where I believe you absolutely need a strong player in the game since the entire thing shouldn’t have happened.”\
With two games remaining, Southampton can catch up to Leeds with a win, bringing them to within six points of the league leaders. With two games this week against Preston and Cardiff City coming up before the Whites visit Middlesbrough on Monday night, Martin’s team has a real chance to cut the lead.
With one more game played, Daniel Farke’s team is one point behind Leicester in second place, while Ipswich’s 0-0 draw against ‘Boro at home gave them a two-point lead over Leeds with three games left to play.
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