Former Premier League striker Michael Owen has voiced his frustration about the current handball law, after Wolverhampton Wanderers were awarded a controversial penalty against Southampton.
The Wanderers got back to winning ways in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off, beating the Saints 2-1 just days after the south coast club won the fifth round FA Cup tie at Molineux.
Goals came in the second half from Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto, after Danny Ings had opened the scoring at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Undoubtedly the game turned when Wolves were given a penalty for a handball in the area by full-back Ryan Bertrand.
The ex-Chelsea man turned his back on Nelson Semedo and his shot struck his arm.
Arguably his arm was not outside of his body line and it of course wasn’t a deliberate handling.
The decision has led to lots of opinions on social media, and BT Sport Owen wasn’t happy.
He said: “I thought we were back on track with handball decisions after a disturbing spate of them at the start of the season. And then I watch Southampton v Wolves and begin to despair again.”
The decision also angered former Southampton star Francis Benali, who branded the call ‘unbelievable’ and pointed to a later decision involving Leander Dendoncker that went in Wolves’ favour.
Wolves fortunate but second-half performance first class
Perhaps Wolves were fortunate with the decision, but they responded at half-time and were probably deserving of getting on terms.
They then produced a brilliant performance to take all three points.
Clearly the players are still playing for Nuno which was great to see, and hopefully now Wolves can keeping making their own luck and stop starting games so slowly.