SAINTS picked up another well-earned point at Manchester City on Saturday but the occasion did not pass without controversy.
Kyle Walker had a red card and penalty overturned by VAR after a foul on Adam Armstrong inside the area – a chance that could have seen all three points return to St Mary’s.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl reverted back to his usual 4-2-2-2 formation and showed again the fluidity of his decision making this season, with his side now unbeaten in four since the opening day defeat at Everton.
A blot on the record sheet will be Jack Stephens' injury, after the in-form centre-back hobbled around the pitch and made way for Mohammed Salisu early on, holding his knee.
Saints are still in search of a first win of the Premier League campaign but fans will have seen plenty to be positive about.
Here’s how you reacted to the VAR decision and another point picked up – this time at City’s Etihad Stadium, where the last three league visitors all lost 5-0.
Our Daily Echo reader, Mr. Profit of Rage, commented: Great point at City! Up the Saints!
R.A.Zimmerman: Well.. that'll put the "Hassentaclue" tag to bed. Deservedly.
ITp: If you can't be proud of that performance today, then I suggest you get off the site and find yourself another Club.
Tazardly: 5 minutes injury time plus almost another 3, is, fellow fans, what we will always face if vying for a game against the gilded ones..
Joelster replied: yeah that was ridiculous, makes you feel the refs totally biased
Why Change Alias Length: Of all the people we wouldn't want involved in a VAR decision Moss and Atkinson are top of the list. That said before the match I would have settled for a draw with City. COYR
nothingimportanttosay: Several posters claimed here we'd be bottom after 5 games!
IOWSaints: Superb point, well done lads. I genuinely love it when my low expectations and predictions of a SAINTS match are completely wrong. UP THE SAINTS
Strassie: Anyone else having chats with friends who support City who are claiming that it was right not to award the penalty, that Tino should have got a red and that Sterling was onside when he scored?
I guess it's what happens when you become used to getting everything go your way.
Ley Keycock: Five games without a win. Good to see everyone adapting to acceptance of this as a good set of performances.
Saint Retford: This is what happens when you give Ralph a full week to prepare and organise for a game. Absolutely outstanding today. Bring on the rest of the season.
What are your thoughts? Which of our Daily Echo readers do you agree/disagree with?
On social media, here's how Saints supporters reacted:
Not seen much praise on here for McCarthy, but 2 clean sheets in a row and a great save at the end yesterday to deny the Foden header. #SaintsFC
— Harry Sorrell (@sorrellh) September 19, 2021
Let’s not forget that we played Man City off the park away without arguably our most important player in making us tick… Stuart Armstrong #saintsfc
— 1885theartof (@1885theartof) September 19, 2021
Noticed some really big, positive changes in Ralph's game already this season. And not just the fashion sense😂
— Marlon (@marz194_2) September 18, 2021
I think both his previous experience, and the fact that we have greater squad depth, has meant he's finally got the tools for tactical adaptation #SaintsFC
How on planet Earth was that not a penalty today? Shocking we were robbed. However what a great point it was. We really get into Pep head sometimes. I hope there fans enjoyed it. I know we did. Well done boys #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/3PfpyjiWI0
— Emmett (@Emmett_77) September 18, 2021
When a die hard Man City fan at the game says it was a penalty, it makes you wonder what these refs are looking at.... What happened to the ref making a Clear & Obvious error? #SaintsFC
— Saints Mike (@Saints_Mike7167) September 18, 2021
Never saints played well always the other team had an off day! #SaintsFC
— Le tissidyer (@GavinDy24779729) September 18, 2021
We let Bertrand and Vestegaard go in the Summer and improved our defence. That's not a dig at those players (particularly Bertrand) but more that sometimes a change is as good as a rest. #saintsfc
— Christ Rann (@crstig) September 18, 2021
All I need now is a B team win tomorrow and #SaintsFC will have collectively done a good job in saving my weekend that Hampshire tried so hard to destroy.
— Sarah Double-Vaxxed Kutschera (@NotSoWittyUN) September 18, 2021
On a more individual note, Tino showed his complete class again today, barely put a foot wrong against Grealish #saintsfc
— Jacob Stephenson (@25JStep) September 18, 2021
That was never a penalty for us and the right decision was made. Armstrong is already going down before any contact is made. If that was given against us we’d be fuming #saintsfc
— Tom Pointing (@PointingPhysio) September 18, 2021
Another decent performance today from #SaintsFC, big game next week against an out of form Wolves!
— Harry Sorrell (@sorrellh) September 18, 2021
That humble pie I’m eating tastes pretty sweet. #SaintsFC.
— Jack Lavous (@jlavooo) September 18, 2021
Ralph absolutely proving me wrong🔴⚪️
Putting the terrible penalty decision aside, that was a fantastic point from the lads. Kept City very quiet all game. Well done lads 👏👏 🔴⚪🔴 #saintsfc
— James Haren (@Saints_4eva) September 18, 2021
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