Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg speaks out following dismissal and dive accusations

Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg told the Danish media of his thoughts on that dismissal against Leicester City two league games ago.

The Danish international, who isn’t currently on international duty for his country’s UEFA Nations League campaign, was dismissed for a second bookable offence after being adjudged to have dived in the Foxes penalty area at 1-1.

It was a costly error as Harry Maguire netted Leicester’s last-gasp winner as the team took full advantage of having 11 men.

However, after serving his one-game ban in the League Cup win over Brighton and Hove Albion, Hojbjerg emphatically bounced back with his first Saints league goal to secure a 2-0 away win at Crystal Palace - fully repaying manager Mark Hughes’ faith.

Speaking to Danish news outlet Sport TV2 [H/T Read Southampton’s Luke Osman], Hojbjerg said: “I never thought it would happen because I have to be – and I am – the type of player that needs to be aware I have a responsibility and I need to know where the boundary is.”

But after picking up his first professional red card, Hojbjerg could see the funny side to the awful dive which saw him sent off. “I have to learn to jump a little better next time,” the Dane concluded.