Charlie Austin seething as Watford equalise after offside controversy

Southampton striker Charlie Austin has hit the headlines across social media after a passionate outburst at the officials surrounding his disallowed goal in the 1-1 draw with Watford on Saturday.

Southampton led 1-0 when Nathan Redmond broke into the box and squared for Austin to slice into the far corner, putting the home side on course for a much needed victory. Celebrations began, the entire crowd believed Saints were on their way to a first home win in 12 months, even the players and management staff were fist pumping on the sidelines.

Around a minute had passed when Austin returned to the pitch in utter disbelief. The referee, Simon Hooper, had taken advice from his assistant on the sideline that Maya Yoshida was in an offside position, and that therefore the goal should not stand.

Yoshida never touched the ball, and to most was not in a position in which he would influence the play, but the position and view of play that the assistant had was enough for them to deem it an illegal play.

The game wore on and Southampton wasted many an opportunity until Jose Holebas equalised with just eight minutes to spare. Heads fell, the crowd fell silent and Austin began to boil over with rage. Rumours of the striker shouting furiously in the tunnel after the game leaked into the Twittersphere, then came his post match interview.

Visibly shaking, visibly angry, Austin went on a tirade against the officials, accusing them of being ‘a joke’ and costing his side two points in their battle against the drop.

“They said it was offside, that is a joke. People go on about VAR, they clearly need help. If this is the best, most-watched league in the world then give them all the help they need. It is a joke.

“Sure there are many positives, we worked hard, we deserved three points and we would have got that had we not been let down by the official.”

This incident was not the only one the officials got wrong in this game.

Nathaniel Chalobah was through on goal against Alex McCarthy, when Southampton captain Ryan Bertrand hurtled into a sliding challenge, taking the Watford man’s legs from beneath his body. It was a clear penalty, for all of those watching the game, except the officials. Watford protested furiously, prompting Hooper to call over Troy Deeney to attempt to calm things down before he started to administer bookings.

The truth is, if Hooper had got that correct, Bertrand would surely have seen a second yellow and therefore red card, whilst Watford would have the perfect opportunity to equalise with a significant portion of the game to go.

Austin claims the officials need help, and perhaps they do.

The officiating surely cost either team the game, be it an equaliser from a Watford penalty, or the goal that had Austin ranting on television. Southampton find themselves only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, with bottom club Fulham awaiting after the international break.

Watford meanwhile continue their erratic run of form, they may feel aggrieved themselves after the result, but will see this as a good away point against a side who were determined to prove they were better than the 6-1 thrashing Manchester City handed out last week.