Morgan Schneiderlin defends tackle on Mohamed Diame

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has defended his tackle on West Ham United's Mohamed Diame during today's goalless draw between the two sides.

Referee Andre Marriner did not award a free kick for the challenge when it took place just before half time, a decision that baffled West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, who thought that it warranted a red card.

Schneiderlin offered his apologies to Diame, who was able to play on following the incident, but did not think at the time that it was a bad tackle.

"I need to see the image again but at that moment I didn't think I had done anything wrong," Schneiderlin told Sky Sports News.

"I didn't have the feeling at the time that it was bad, I am not a player who commits those kind of fouls.

"If I touched him in any way, I apologise but I have not the feeling that I did anything wrong."

The results lifts Southampton up one place to 11th in the Premier League table, although they remain a point and a position below the Hammers.