Brighton 1-1 Southampton: VAR ‘a big problem’ says Saints boss Russell Martin

Southampton boss Russell Martin says the video assistant referee (VAR) system is a “big problem” for the Premier League if it is disallowing goals like Cameron Archer’s against Brighton.

Archer appeared to have put Saints ahead at Amex Stadium on Friday, only for the strike to be chalked off when team-mate Adam Armstrong was deemed to be offside.

It took more than four minutes for the controversial decision to be made after a VAR check, with the level of Armstrong’s interference with play questionable.

It left Martin furious as his bottom-of-the-table side were denied a first Premier League away win of the season as the game ended 1-1.

“My problem is that the on-field decision carries weight,” Martin told the BBC. “You either have VAR to correct problems or not – and when it’s a goal it’s a big problem.

“If a decision is made in the heat of the moment you can accept it, but when you have so much time and we have to wait on the side of the pitch for so long and the decision is still, in my opinion, that the goalkeeper has been affected when he’s not – that’s a problem.

“I understand why they would give it in the heat of the moment but that’s why VAR is there.”

Saints had fought back superbly after Brighton led through Kaoru Mitoma’s 29th-minute opener.

Flynn Downes levelled in the 59th minute, before Archer thought he had claimed the crucial winner when he turned in Ryan Fraser’s left-wing cross.

While the draw moved Brighton up to second spot, Saints – who have just one win this term – are on five points from 13 league games and four adrift of safety.