A couple of weeks ago Saints were appealing desperately for the introduction of VAR after Charlie Austin’s disallowed goal. Their feelings may be somewhat different now.

While Manolo Gabbiadini’s penalty shootout miss will inevitably grab the headlines, there is little doubt that the controversy over the VAR decision which robbed Saints of a regular time winner at Leicester was the real talking point of this League Cup fourth round tie.

It again raised one of the big questions over VAR – whether it really can sort out all the decisions correctly when it still comes down to one person’s interpretation.

Nathan Redmond produced a darting burst between two Leicester defenders, and the resulting bundle through saw the ball bounce up and hit the underside of his arm. He then got it to Steven Davis who turned home.

The on field referee, Roger East, didn’t seem to disallow it. Instead, it went to the VAR official.

The decision took a long time to come, which in itself was puzzling as there was no doubt on one viewing that the ball had unintentionally ricocheted onto Redmond’s arm.

It was also obvious that the ball would have certainly not have been under the same level of control had it not struck Redmond’s arm.

So the decision was ultimately whether the goal should have stood taking all of that into account.

In fairness it was a difficult one. Saints have every right to feel aggrieved, Leicester would have felt the same had it been allowed.

Even after the event there was debate on both sides of the argument as to whether it should have stood.

And, so, VAR didn’t clear it up. It didn’t make it black or white.

VAR is coming to the Premier League, but on this showing there must be serious questions as to whether it is truly ready to be unleashed yet. Technology is great, but it must be utilised correctly.

The game was blighted by VAR hold-ups, and controversy still reigned supreme at the final whistle.

As for the tie, it was another case of Saints not getting what they deserved. They hit the woodwork twice, Michael Obafemi missed a sitter and they were the better team.

You can argue the toss as to how much they really needed to get through given they knew Man City would be next up in the quarter-finals, but in the state they are in any win is a good thing.

To be robbed again, this time via VAR and the lottery of penalties, is another cruel blow in a season of blows.