RALPH Hasenhuttl described the decision to not to use VAR as “a disaster” after Spurs got away with a late handball in the penalty area during today's 1-1 draw at St Mary's.

Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga clearly handled the ball during a helter-skelter last 15 minutes as Danny Ings tried to create an opening.

But despite its availability, VAR was not used when referee Peter Bankes did not give the penalty.

Hasenhuttl said: “If they didn’t check it it’s a disaster for me because if they checked it it’s a clear handball.

“It would have been the equaliser with a penalty. VAR is not perfect if you have it only in some [FA Cup] games, but if you have it and don’t use it it’s a joke.”

Saints laid siege to the Tottenham goal after the introduction of Boufal, who scored his first Saints goal for more than two years, after Hasenhuttl switched to a back three.

Hasenhuttl continued: “We have more than 11 players and they are waiting for the chance to show a good reaction. This is exactly what I need. They speeded up the game at the end. Sofiane, Moussa [Djenepo] and Che [Adams] had a good impact.

“We changed the shape, which was also a good decision with Reddy on the right and Moussa on the left.

“It caused them a lot of problems and Ingsy had a few very good chances to score. I saw a well committed team playing well.”

Boufal’s last goal was also against Spurs, in a 5-2 defeat on Boxing Day 2017.

“Sofiane is an important player in my team," continued Hasenhuttl. "Even if he’s not playing from the beginning I know if he comes on he always has a good impact on the game and this is something you need in the squad.

"Not everybody can play from the beginning. When you're a sub you have a job to do and he does it well. We need very player to win games."

The first substitution was made just before half-time with Djenepo replacing the injured Stuart Armstrong.

"He had a problems with the hips," added Hasenhuttl. "I hope it’s not that bad but he’ll have a scan tomorrow and then we’ll know more."