Bart Verbruggen WAS affected by offside Southampton striker Adam Armstrong, television viewers have been told.

But three former professionals on Match Of The Day could not agree that a Southampton goal at the Amex was ruled out correctly.

Cameron Archer struck at the far post with his side looking to go ahead against Albion on Friday night.

A lengthy VAR delay initially ruled Archer was onside but then found Armstrong, clearly offside, was interfering with play.

Gary Lineker, presenting the popular BBC programme, disagreed with that decision because the ball had gone behind Armstrong and not between him and the keeper.

He felt Southampton boss Russell Martin was correct to feel aggrieved.

But former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin could understand the decision arrived at by referee Robert Jones and video assistant Jarred Gillett.

He said, without Armstrong's presence, Verbruggen would have been able to move across his goal immediately to confront Archer.

Dublin said: “The goalkeeper is there at the near post with the first pink shirt.

“If there is no pink shirt at the near post, he goes to the far post because there is only one pink shirt there.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said: “I agree he has to wait.

“But the reality is we don’t want to see goals being disallowed for that.”

Lineker had said: “It goes behind him. It can’t affect the goalkeeper’s movement.

“I don’t think it impacts the goalkeeper.”

Some Southampton fans had pointed out via social media that Verbruggen had no complaints as the ball went past him.

But Jan Paul van Hecke could be seen on replays immediately pointing to the offside Armstrong, arguing the goal should be ruled out.

The incident was one of several which led to tempers rising between the respective coaching teams.

Martin was irritated by comments from Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who said: "For me it’s just important to have respect.

"It’s important to respect each other and how you talk to each other. That’s how I was educated."