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Southampton: Marcos Alonso charged for stamp on Saints’ Shane Long

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marcos Alonso
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marcos Alonso /
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The FA have today retrospectively charged Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso for his foul on Shane Long in the weekend’s 3-2 defeat to the Blues.

The Spaniard committed the stamp late in the first half with the Saints currently a goal to the good, with Mike Dean missing the obvious challenge on the Shane Long. Despite protests, the game went on with the left-back eventually assisted Olivier Giroud’s first of a superb comeback.

The decision by the FA will be seen as fair justice with the Saints eventually tossing the lead away, as they realistically could’ve held on to their one-goal lead if the Blues had been forced down to ten men.

However Alonso could still appeal the retrospective decision, as he has until 6PM today to respond to the charge. Assuming it is upheld, he will – at this point – receive a three-match ban. Whatever the suspension, he will miss this weekend’s cup game against the Saints.

Next: Saints 3-2 Chelsea: Match recap

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 14: Cedric of Southamptoin in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 14: Cedric of Southamptoin in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

The ban will therefore hit the Blues hard, as despite some of their players comments, the FA Cup should really be the side’s priority with Tottenham slowly pulling away ahead of them in 4th.

The Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will almost certainly replace the Spaniard with Emerson. The left-wing-back has barely featured since a fairly expensive move in January from Roma, so will want to prove his worth if given the chance.

Regardless, the implications of the loss at the weekend could be much greater than what they may seem – some people on social media have already described Mike Dean’s error as a ‘£160 million mistake’.

Had they won the Saints would only be two points off the pace rather than five, with a burst of confidence to take into this Thursday’s game against Leicester. Whilst victory was still far from guaranteed, Southampton would’ve had a much better chance with one of the away side’s best players sent for an early bath.

Either way, the left-back’s suspension or appeal will be revealed later this evening.

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