Initially Saints fourth goal in the rout over Sunderland has been credited as an own goal, but having watched multiple replays Im convinced it should be given to Pelle.

Obviously being a supporter of 3rd placed, team of the moment Southampton Football Club Im biased, but I thought at the time that Graziano Pelle should have been awarded our fourth and what would have been his second goaland nothing I have seen in TV replays has convinced me otherwise.

This should now be referred to the Dubious Goals Committee, this panel meets on an ad hoc basis whenever a goal is referred to it, usually things are quite clean cut so thats about 4/5 times a season.

Pelle's effort for what turned out to be Saints fourth goal against Sunderland has initially been awarded to the Black Cats Bridcutt, but I feel that this is unfair.

The DGC consists of three former players or officials and their identity's at any one time is kept secret so as to protect them from undue influence

The DGC does not rule on whether a goal was a goal or no, nor does it rule on assists, only on situations such as Pelle's on Saturday.

Its guiding principle is as follows.

"As a rule, if the initial attempt is goal bound it is credited to the player making the goal attempt. However if the deflection means that a wayward effort results in a goal then it is attributed to the player who had the last definitive touch of the ball."

Using this principle I can see no other decision than to give the goal to Pelle, the shot was on target and even Mannone's half save left it still on target with only Bridcutt behind him on the line.

Bridcutt did not change the direction of the ball, in attempting to clear it off the line he got his own feet entangled and merely helped it on its way, if he had say volleyed the ball into Mannone on the ground in front of him and the ball had ricocheted into the net then yes that would be an own goal, or if it was going wide, but neither was the case, Bridcutt merely helped the ball follow its trajectory, if every player who touched the ball last as it travelled towards the back of the net was credited with the goal, most matches would see a raft of own goals.

So Bridcutt although having the last touch did not alter the direction of the original shot, neither did Mannone before him, the ball was on target so the DGC clearly only has to follow its own principle and award Pelle the goal and as a result a hat trick. .

Photo: Action Images

nomorerumours added 14:24 - Oct 20 I agree. I thought it had enough power on it to easily go over the goal line and it was definitely on target. The keeper missed and the defender merely made a mess of things to make it look like he forced it over the line. There was always sufficient momentum for the ball to get there, As you say, this should be a straightforward decision for the DGC to reverse. How long do they usually take to get their act together assuming Saints lodged the appeal today? So, a Graziano hat trick and 7 league goals so far. He's after a 2nd consecutive PotM award but Dusan may have something to say about that!!!

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nomorerumours added 14:36 - Oct 20 I think I've found the answer to my question. The DGC convening times seems to vary considerably. The last 20 or so meetings haver been as soon as 7 days after the event but can be as long a 3 weeks. Most times are typically around 2 weeks. I imagine it depends on how quickly they can get a panel together. So, we can probably assume around or just after the turn of the month. Graziano had better get a hat trick against Stoke next Saturday, just in case the decision goes against him!

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SaintMoose added 14:46 - Oct 20 Plus I put a tenner on him at 66/1 on him at the start of the season, so the closer he stays to the top two before (hopefully) they get injured, the better!
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Jesus_02 added 13:42 - Oct 23 SaintMoose - you must have money to burn - he looked dreadfull at the begining of the season!
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