FA Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 73,416

FA Cup | Semi-Finals

Apr 22, 2018 at 3pm UK

Chelsea
2-0
Southampton

Giroud (46'), Morata (82')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Mark Hughes 'disappointed' with lack of VAR in Chelsea defeat

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 April 2018

Southampton manager Mark Hughes questions the lack of VAR use in his side's 2-0 loss to Chelsea after a couple of big calls went against his side.

Mark Hughes has aired his frustration at the lack of use of the Video Assistant Referee in Southampton's 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Saints had a goal ruled out with the score at 1-0 following an error from Willy Caballero, as referee Martin Atkinson felt that Charlie Austin made too much contact with the goalkeeper on the goal line.

Further annoyance followed after a handball shout against Olivier Giroud went in Chelsea's favour, leaving Hughes to hit out at the officials during his post-match press conference.

Echoing the comments made to BT Sport in the immediate aftermath of the game, the Welshman told reporters: "There is disappointment from our point of view because there's the situation where the goalkeeper made a wrong decision and has basically thrown the ball into the back of his net because of poor goalkeeping.

"If ever there was a situation for VAR to step in and say we probably need to review that I would have thought that was the opportunity to do that. Clearly it's a match-defining moment and a key time for us, if we get the goal back then who knows how the game might have followed. Why it hasn't been referred I have no idea.

"Whether or not the referee's said it was a foul, which clearly it wasn't, all he probably knew was on his watch it lit up and told him it was a goal, but for whatever reason he didn't want to give that. He missed a clear handball as well from a corner, Giroud's handball, another one they could have reviewed, but probably it was a bit too quick for them, because that seemed to be happening all day.

"We are disappointed with the officials on the day and whoever it is who sits in the darkened room and makes the decision whether you go to video or not."

Southampton have now lost each of their last six meetings with Chelsea in all competitions since a 3-1 win in October 2015.