Stoke City manager Mark Robins described Divin Mubama's dismissal for diving at Southampton as "unnecessary" and wondered if his striker could have stayed on his feet and scored instead.
Mubama went to ground after Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu rushed out and dived at his feet as the Stoke striker bore down on goal just before the hour mark.
Referee Josh Smith deemed Mubama's actions worthy of a second caution for simulation.
Stoke eventually held on despite their numerical disadvantage to claim a 2-1 victory and third successive Championship win but Robins said: "We went down to 10 men unnecessarily, in my opinion.