Poortvliet's unhappy

By Chris,
January 5 2009

Southampton boss Jan Poortvliet has hit out at referee Mike Riley after his side were dumped out of the F.A Cup by Manchester United. The Red Devils cruised to a convincing 3-0 win thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani and Darron Gibson - but Poortvliet feels that Riley let his team down.

Controversy surrounded United's comfortable win over Southampton. Saints' Matt Paterson was dismissed for a challenge on Nemanja Vidic, whilst United's second-goal came from a controversial handball decision.

Poortvliet also feels that United's first-goal was offside after replays showed that Welbeck may have been stood in an offside position during the build-up to his close-range header.

"I have to see the decisions myself, but I think it was not a penalty, not a red card and the first goal was offside.

"The referee's assistant should see it because he is on the same line as the player."

There was certainly an element of doubt over the handball with replays suggesting that the ball may actually have brushed the back of David McGoldrick's head.

However, Southampton cannot have too many complaints about Paterson's dismissal. Perhaps, on another day, it may have been a booking - but the player lunged in with his studs in the air and could certainly have done some damage to Vidic's shin.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was a rash challenge and he didn't give him any option."