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. .