Pardew unsure over penalty call

Alan Pardew has cast doubt over whether Southampton should have been awarded a penalty in their 2-0 EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace.

Charlie Austin scored from the penalty spot, after Martin Kelly’s first-half challenge on Shane Long, and Jake Hesketh added Southampton’s second in the 63rd minute to ensure their progress to the competition’s fourth round at Palace’s expense.

Southampton’s was a convincing performance – their former manager Pardew acknowledged they deserved victory – but after doubting the penalty decision the 55-year-old accused Long of having “history”.

Palace captain Scott Dann went off with a suspected hamstring injury in the 19th minute. Kelly replaced him in central defence, and his clumsy touch gifted Long possession before an equally poor challenge brought him down.

The decision appeared the correct one, but four days after Long was booked for simulation against Swansea, Pardew said: “Shane Long is quick and has got a bit of history in …

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