Ronald Koeman: Southampton denied clear penalties in Leicester defeat

An angry Ronald Koeman claimed Southampton were denied a "clear penalty" for the third match in a row in their 1-0 defeat to Leicester on Sunday.

Wes Morgan scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute as the Foxes moved a step closer to the Premier League title.

But Koeman was angry that Southampton were not given penalties when Danny Simpson appeared to block a goalbound shot from Sadio Mane with his arm and then Charlie Austin's cross hit Robert Huth's arm later in the game.

"It's the third time in a row that the referee has not whistled and everybody saw," Saints boss Koeman told Sky Sports. "The first was Stoke away, it's a clear penalty, then Liverpool at home, it's a clear penalty, and today it's two penalties.

"The one from Sadio, it's a handball and it's a red card...If it is not handball it's a goal, it's not hit his body, it's his hand, and I don't know what they (the officials) are doing because it's a key moment in the game.

"It's about the title in the Premier League and our ambition to play in Europe, and if for the third time in a row you don't get clear penalties then it is impossible to play in Europe."

Southampton could have closed the gap on fifth-placed West Ham to one point with victory at the King Power.

And while Koeman said Leicester deserved credit for their performance, he thought the result would have been different if Simpson had been sent off.

"I am not saying they didn't deserve the win, that they didn't fight and show unbelievable spirit, all credit to them, but if it's a penalty and red card they don't win today," he said.