FORMER Saints boss Alan Pardew insisted his Crystal Palace side deserved a penalty at St Mary’s last night.

He believed Martin Atkinson, refereeing his first match since the controversial 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Burnley, should have awarded them a penalty for a Jose Fonte foul on Yannick Bolasie.

"Obviously, the last game he was under a lot of pressure, but that was a penalty tonight," Pardew said.

"I just feel it was a penalty and when the centre-half has been as aggressive as Jose Fonte was tonight, he should give it.

"But, you know, we've been harshly treated I think by the officials in the last few games and sometimes you get a run like that."

Pardew's comments surprised those in the press conference and angered Saints counterpart Koeman.

"No, it is so easy if you lose a game to tell that kind of story about referees," the Dutchman said.

"The referee was not involved in the final result - we scored and they didn't score and I know because I know that feeling.

"It is too easy and I think too many people are always talking about referees. I don't like that."