Southampton manager Gordon Strachan claimed his side had "suffered" against Arsenal because of his "history" with linesman Mike Tingey after Thierry Henry struck two controversial goals at Highbury last night.
Henry first reached and then passed the milestone of 100 Premiership goals in Arsenal's 2-0 win, which took them five points clear at the top of the table.
However, Strachan believed the Frenchman was offside for his first goal on 31 minutes, when he raced onto Robert Pires' pass and referee's assistant Tingey kept his flag down.
The Southampton boss, who refused to discuss his future amid reports that Glenn Hoddle is poised to replace him, referred back to an incident between himself and Tingey while at Coventry.
Strachan, who admitted that he felt "some injustice" in what could yet prove to be his final game in charge, said: "You've got to understand that there's plenty of history between myself and Mr Tingey. Five years ago, I got sent off and he accused me of starting a fight as he had seen it clearly.
"But I took a lawyer to the Football Association hearing and there was camera footage that showed I didn't start the fight and it was impossible for him to see me. They got me instead for getting out of my technical area.
"My players suffered because of that history, I think. Henry was three or four yards offside."
Strachan was also unhappy at Henry's second goal in the final minute, although Tingey had no part in this controversy.
Instead, it was referee Neale Barry who waved play on even though Ray Parlour clashed with Danny Higginbotham before setting through Pires to cross for Henry to seal victory. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, expressed "sympathy" for Strachan over the second goal although he insisted: "I don't think it would have changed the game."
It might have drawn a snigger or possibly even a snort of indignation but is it really so ludicrous to suggest Steve Harper deserves an England call-up?
I don't think so....
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