Graeme Souness slams Southampton player for 'cheating' after controversial moment in Leeds clash

Graeme Souness. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Graeme Souness has accused Southampton winger Nathan Tella of “cheating” following a controversial penalty incident involving the youngster during Leeds United's clash with the Saints on Tuesday evening.

The 21-year-old initially looked to have won a spot kick for the visitors after referee Andre Marriner judged that Diego Llorente had upended him inside the area partway through the first half at Elland Road.

The decision was eventually overturned after a VAR review, however, with the official instead deeming Tella to have initiated the contact between himself and the Spanish defender.

Reflecting on the incident during Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, Souness said: “The referee has got a good view of it, but you can see how difficult it is for referees at times.

"He’s cheating. For me, it’s sad that Tella’s not been booked for that.

"Call it what you want, simulation – it’s cheating.

"He's trying to con the referee to get a penalty, and that’s crept into the game far more in recent years.”Souness also suggested that Marriner was right to rule out a Che Adams goal from a quickly taken Saints free-kick.

The striker coolly slotted past Illan Meslier after James Ward-Prowse threaded him through, but the referee called play back and insisted that he had not blown his whistle before the ball was kicked.

Souness added: “I think it’s the correct decision. I think he goes just before the whistle.

"I think the confusion is that the referee’s not looking at him, and I think the referee is right in disallowing the goal.

"It’s marginal. It’s half a second if you like, but I think it’s the correct decision.”