Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu was not awarded a penalty in Southampton’s 3-2 loss to Leicester City on Saturday due to his refusal to go down in the box, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu has been used sparingly at Southampton this season. He was strongly linked with a transfer away from the club in the summer, with Trabzonspor in the mix. However, the deal did not materialize due to the Turkish club’s refusal to match Southampton’s asking fee.
That has cost the 31-year-old, as his game time has been badly limited at Southampton. This season, he has only played 40 minutes out of eight games.
23 of those minutes came last weekend against Leicester City. Onuachu was Introduced to the game when Southampton were desperately searching for a goal. He had a big shot at helping them when his jersey appeared to have been dragged in the box. There were shots for a penalty, but referee Anthont Taylor refused to call it.
Following the game, former top Premier League referee Gallagher has stated that he believed a penalty should have been called for Onuachu. However, the Nigerian striker did not get a favourites call because he did not fall.
“I think one’s right on the goal line so it’s a bit different but I think if Paul goes down it makes a big deal because it’s a huge shirt pull,” Gallagher said.
“It’s much bigger than Ryan Fraser’s. But I don’t know if they have looked at it and said no or if they haven’t, I don’t know what that process is.
“I thought it was a penalty. If you hold a player’s shirt for five steps, which he does, that’s sustained.
“They were of the opinion the goalkeeper would have got the ball anyhow,” Gallagher continued, attempting to explain the decision made.
Onuachu’s presence added some bite to Southampton’s attack on Saturday albeit he failed to score. But it still seems like he is far from becoming a starter at the club.