Angry John Eustace adamant penalty decision was wrong in Blackburn’s defeat to Watford

An angry and frustrated John Eustace was adamant penalty decision was wrong in Blackburn’s 1-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday afternoon.

Edo Kayembe’s late spot kick sealed all three points for Tom Cleverley’s Hornets to move them up to 7th in the Championship table with 19 points from 12 games played following the day’s action while Blackburn are 6th with the same points and games played.

Ryan Hedges had been adjudged to have handled the ball after it came off Vakoun Bayo and struck him, but said is was a poor decision and cost his side what would have been a well-earned point.

He said, per Lancashire Telegraph: “I thought it was a very poor decision from the referee, I have seen it a number of times.

“It’s a really poor one. His hands are a little bit high but it’s come off the lads back and he’s not even looking at the ball.

“It’s a poor decision which has cost us three points. But I’m very pleased with the away performance and the away we went about our business.

“When the cross comes in, it’s deflected in the air. The striker jumps up in front of Hedgey, he pulls out so he doesn’t foul him and it pops off the striker’s back and hits his hand.

“It’s a very disappointing decision and one that shouldn’t have been.

“It doesn’t matter (whether the laws are wrong). The decision has been made but we have to look at the positives where it was an excellent away performance.

“I thought it was a very, very good performance. With and without the ball, we had good spells where we created possession very well and created chances,” Eustace said.

“We had the best two chances of the game with Dominic (Hyam) and Andi (Weimann) which we have to take. We limited a very good team to next to nothing.

“A bit of pressure which is fine but we defended out box very well. We dug deep and played really good football against a team with a fantastic squad of players going forward.

“They caused us no problems and we looked a big threat on the counter-attack. Aynsley didn’t have any saves to make and they didn’t create much. We had two big chances.

“They are a top-six team with a very good young manager in Tom (Cleverley). You have to respect the opposition too, they are a team with lots of Premier League experience.

“We had two golden chances and we had to put them away.”

Blackburn boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:

“I thought it was a very, very good performance with and without the ball. I think we had the two best chances that we’ve got to put away with Andi [Weimann] and Dominic [Hyam].

“We limited a really good team at home to next to nothing and we’re disappointed to lose on a really poor decision from the referee”.

On Watford’s penalty:

“I’ve seen it a number of times. I think it’s a poor decision and obviously Hedges’ hands are a little bit high but it’s come off the lad’s back, the lad wasn’t even looking at the ball, so it’s a poor decision that’s cost us.”

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“The foundation you need to be successful in this division is clean sheets and home form so, we got two in two, today.

“We needed the response, we are taking comfort from playing at home. Today I was pleased, I’ve spoke a lot about consistency recently and about having that baseline of performance that you don’t go underneath by doing the basics well.”

On the penalty award:

“I certainly thought it was [a penalty] at the time. I’ve not watched it back but it sounds to me it’s one of those that you feel hard done by if it doesn’t get given but likewise them [you do feel hard done by] when it does”.

Tom Cleverley per Sky Sports:

“I’d like to think we leave no stone unturned but today we did. We didn’t have a backup penalty taker. So I thought Moussa Sissoko took control of the situation fantastically well.

“He got the ball and came to me and asked my advice. My first choice was a player who is massively confident for us at the minute but he didn’t want to take the penalty so number two took it and that was Edo and he dispatched it.

“It was better than I could have done it. I remember missing one in the last minute at Goodison Park and completely folded.”

“Immensely proud.” 💛

Cleverley shows his appreciation after a banner in his honour was unveiled in the Rookery. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FRH1ygj3wz

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) October 26, 2024

Here’s how fans reacted as an angry John Eustace is adamant the penalty decision was wrong in Blackburn’s defeat to Watford…

@followBRFC: Can’t believe that

@Farney_brfc: Ball was headed into his hand, shocking refereeing

@brfc_dylan: ref is useless

@brfcsammie: refs having a howler for both teams

@hotd1ggitydog: How on earth is he supposed to get his hand out of the way?! FFS.

@Leap_year_man: Absolute joke

@rglivesey: Shocking refereeing at this level

@ThrowingAPaddy: What? How could he move his hand that close up?

@CallumSharples: So hedges is supposed to volley their player in the head instead, right

@HillingAdam: Why is everyone saying no penalty? It is stonewall. If that was against us everyone would want it given. You put your hands that high then you have to accept that will happen . Blame hedges not the ref.

@Gdhankin79: He was clearly trying to avoid contact and moved his hands up out the way and the guy headed it against him. I wouldn’t want that pen if it was the other way round. Always was judged as intentional and that in no way was intentional

@jtwalsh02: Head it hedges you stiff 🤦‍♂️

@fionnan_kelly: Same shit officials every week

@James__Crook: Simply don’t have your hands up in the box. Basics of defending.

@Nathan_Gray03: Just peak championship refereeing again… Absolute shite.