Ex-Chelsea star insists Southampton did not deserve a penalty for Ayew's blatant pull on Onuachu's shirt

Former Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit has insisted that respected Premier League referee Anthony Taylor made the right call not to award a penalty to Southampton during the second half of their 3-2 loss to Leicester City at the St Mary's Stadium on Saturday. 

In their first game after the international break, the Saints thought they were cruising to their first win of the campaign, but threw away a two-goal lead to lose to the Foxes.

Nigeria international Joe Aribo slotted home after latching onto a cross from Kyle Walker-Peters to double the advantage in the 28th minute. 

Trailing by two goals, Leicester City burst into life in the second half as Facundo Buonanotte halved the deficit in the 64th minute before Jamie Vardy made it 2-2 from the spot in the 74th minute.

Ryan Fraser took the walk of shame in the 73rd minute after he was shown a red card for a tug back on Vardy in the penalty area, following a VAR review. 

Southampton felt hard done by after they were denied a penalty when Jordan Ayew clearly pulled Paul Onuachu's shirt in the penalty area following a corner kick. 

The towering Nigerian striker fell to the turf and demanded a penalty but nothing was given. 

Fans have questioned the consistency of Anthony Taylor, considering the fact that he awarded a penalty to Leicester City for the same infringement. 

Comparing the two incidents, Petit said on Premier League Productions: "I agree totally, I think Vardy was so close to score a goal so he was almost scoring a goal and the other one, we can see so many times the same action on set pieces.

"If you start to give a penalty, then every set piece on corner (kicks) you will find a penalty”.

To add insult to injury, it was Ayew that scored the game-winning goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time, turning home a corner from Winks. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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