Dermot Gallagher: Assistant made a "real unfortunate error" in EFL Cup final

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said that assistant Stuart Burt "acted too fast" in disallowing a goal for Southampton in the EFL Cup final.

In the 11th minute, Manolo Gabbiadini had a close-range effort wrongly chalked off with only Ryan Bertrand in an offside position and not interfering with play.

Eight minutes later, Manchester United took the lead and went on to secure a 3-2 victory at Wembley Stadium, and Gallagher has acknowledged that the official made a "real unfortunate error".

He told Sky Sports News: "I think he has got it wrong because he has acted too fast, which is quite surprising because this is a guy who runs the line in the Champions League so he has got marvellous experience.

"He hasn't waited. The ball could have gone into the net directly and it would have still been a goal because Ryan Bertrand wouldn't have interfered.

"Regarding the referee, he may well have said that "are you happy with that?" and the assistant may well have said over the communication 'yes'. It was just a real unfortunate error."

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has suggested that the goal would have stood had Manchester United scored in a similar scenario.