Tuesday 13 September 2016 00:00, UK
Jamie Carragher thinks the decision to award Arsenal a late penalty in the Gunners 2-1 victory over Southampton was a correct one.
With the scores locked at 1-1 deep into injury time, referee Bobby Madley pointed to the spot after seeing Jose Fonte pulling on Olivier Giroud's shirt.
Santi Cazorla stepped up to hand Arsene Wenger's side a crucial three points and Carragher, who admitted to changing his mind, insists Madley got the decision spot on.
"People said Southampton were unlucky and when I initially saw it I thought they were unlucky, but I've changed my mind," the former Liverpool defender told Monday Night Football.
"Where I've got no sympathy first of all is the position that Fonte finds himself. The reason he grabs his shirt is panic. He can't see the ball and he gets hold of the shirt.
"There was talk whether the penalty was given for the initial grab or what comes afterwards. Maybe people will say he brought him down on the follow through but if you actually look at the referee, he's already putting his whistle to his mouth so it's for the shirt pulling," Carragher added.
If defenders continue to hold shirts in the box they are going to get decisions given against them.
"A lot of people may say it's harsh and the reason we may think it's soft is because he hasn't pulled him down or actually changed too much.
"If he had let go of his shirt, we would probably still be in the same position where they are both backing into each other. However, he's got hold of him and it's sustained holding and that's why referee Bobby Madley has made correct decision.
"We're still getting used to shirt pulling and giving penalties for it so there's going to be lots of times when we think it shouldn't be a penalty, but there's been a crackdown on referees on it this season and if defenders continue to hold shirts in the box they are going to get decisions given against them."
Referees have been told to clamp down on players pulling shirts inside the box this season and Monday Night Football guest Phil Neville thought the decision was correct under the new directive.
"I think it's harsh but under the new directive I don't think you can moan," the former Manchester United defender said.
"If you grab a shirt in the box, you are going to concede a penalty. Us as defenders, we would have done that all day long in our day but you can't get away with it nowadays, it's a penalty.
"You've actually got to get yourself into better defensive positions to alleviate simple balls over the top like that. Fonte should have done that and just dealt with it straight away."
Was referee Bobby Madley right to award Arsenal a late penalty against Southampton? Hit play on the video above to see the Monday Night Football panel discuss the decision.
