Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Southampton 1 Cardiff 1: Malky’s mad at ref justice
RICKIE LAMBERT’S penalty was enough for Southampton to cling on to second spot and leave Cardiff manager Malky Mackay livid.
Craig Conway put Carling Cup finalists Cardiff ahead, but Lambert capitalised on a dubious decision from referee Mark Haywood 10 minutes after half-time when he ruled Kevin McNaughton handled Adam Lallana’s cross.
Lambert slotted home the spot-kick to keep Saints in the top two, where they have been all season.
Mackay, above, said: “It was hit from about two yards. He’s not going to get out of the way of that, so how the referee can give it I don’t know. Sometimes the referee gets things right, sometimes he gets things wrong. I’ll reserve judgment on which I think it was tonight.”
Lambert had earlier claims for a penalty turned down, having been wrestled to the ground by Ben Turner, and Conway put Cardiff ahead from Peter Whittingham’s corner.
Saints boss Nigel Adkins said: “They were stonewall penalties, Lambert in the first half, Lallana in the second – absolutely clear cut.
Southampton 1 Cardiff 1
“We eventually got a third for handball. But with West Ham losing, we’re still in the race. It’s going to be an exciting three months.”