Playoff rivals Blackburn Rovers were left reeling after Coventry City keeper Ben Wilson scores a controversial 95th minute equaliser.
Rovers and their fans were outraged after Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson appears to have scored a last-gasp equaliser with his hand during their Championship match.
Wilson’s apparent handball in the 95th minutes denied Blackburn all three points after they had taken the lead in the first-half thanks to a Sam Gallagher double.
Wilson leapt above Coventry’s players allegedly palmed the ball in the back of Blackburn’s net as the Sky Blues team crowded Blackburn for a final-gasp corner.
Blackburn protested immediately the decision, but the referee gave them the cold shoulder.
Meanwhile, the club’s official Twitter page claimed Ben Wilson handled the ball: “From a corner, Coventry’s goalkeeper Wilson handled the ball into the net…”
Yes, that just happened. pic.twitter.com/uDyIb9Fpoz
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) April 19, 2023
Evening cry babies 👋🏻, as you can see it hits super Ben Wilson’s chest in this video ,thank you for the 4 points 😘 #PUSB pic.twitter.com/UQi2e6Vzdd
— Ross (@spence_ross1) April 19, 2023
Jon Dahl Tomasson said on the handball controversy, as per Lancs Live: “We are disappointed to draw the game by conceding in the last kick of the game. We should have dealt with the goal better, I don’t want to talk about the goal.
“They’re a good side and an in-form side but we controlled big parts of the game. The first half, we had good control without creating the best chances. We had the most dangerous moments. We scored a brilliant goal and to make this game safe you need to score a second goal to win it. We look at the results from yesterday and today, we have plenty to play for. Four games to go and we are in an excellent position.
“I have seen it back. The referee was in a perfect position as well. I think even me and you would have spotted that.”
On VAR: “It’s always a good question. Don’t you think it will come over time? I think so. More or less in every country in Europe, you don’t have it in every country but over time it will be there.
“I don’t think you needed it today regarding the position where things happen, I think you should be able to see it properly. I think so.
On if it was frustrating that Blackburn scored a great goal but only two shots: “No, not at all. We are playing an opponent who is very good at defending. They’re very good in transition so you have to control the game. They’re the bets in the league in transition. When you need to control it in that way, it costs players in different positions so it’s difficult to create chances against a good side.”
🗣️ Jon Dahl Tomasson’s post-match reaction.#ROVvCOV | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/GO1OUuAx1c
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) April 19, 2023
Coventry boss Mark Robins said: “I think we started poorly. First half was as bad as I’ve seen.
“Whether what was fearful or circumstances, we got ourselves into a brilliant position which doesn’t come around that often and you want them to go enjoy it.
“These are pressing really well in terms of counter pressure, they come after you and turn it over really quickly and they’re the best in the league at that.
“We have to be better and learn from this, but certainly in the second half we were better.”
On Blackburn frustrating the Sky Blues: “They have the dark arts off to a tee. They’re pulling shirts and getting away with it, Viks shirts in tatters and there were free kicks that we didn’t get.
“They were trying to kill our pressure, when they go in the led they generally go on and win the game, but when they concede they haven’t won, so we knew it was important to get the first goal but we didn’t give ourselves a chance.
“We were miles away and the gaps between the back and front were too big.”
On the second half performance: “Second half performance it’s nothing less than we deserved.
“Second half we went at it. Thankfully we’ve got the goal and Ben has got a touch on it and its nothing more than he deserves and all credit to them for getting back into the game.
“We’ve come away with a point and it could be a brilliant point, we have to make it count now.
On three games to go: “This is a brilliant challenge now, we’ve got three games left can we go and do something.
“We’re in a strong position, two games at home coming up and then we have to got to Middlesbrough. We’re against the odds, but lets not fear it lets go and enjoy it and do all we can to give ourselves the best opportunity we can.”
On who’s idea for Ben Wilson to come up: “Aled got off the bench and said do you want him up and I thought for a split second and I just said yes.
“Ben Wilson and Aled get the credit. Why not get him in the penalty area to cause mayhem and he managed to get on the end of something.
“It’s earned us a point and well done to Aled and Ben its been a brilliant season for them.”
The thoughts of Mark Robins at full-time… 💭#PUSB
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) April 19, 2023
This is what fans had to say as playoff rivals Blackburn were left reeling after the Coventry keeper scores a controversial 95th minute equaliser…
@tonymalonyworth: Un-be-lievable!!!
@skybluecurtis91: Top assist by the Cov media lad throwing the ball back to Hamer at the speed of light to take a corner 👏👏
@CameronCairns87: Ben Wilson is better than your goalkeeper, and you know it! 💙💙🐘🐘 #PUSB
@JakeRuss1000: I genuinely don’t give a shit how we played, Ben Wilson scoring is brilliantly hilarious, a very, very decent point at the end of the day. Roll on Saturday #PUSB
@Kaytea21: Ben Wilson please take a bow man! Love the last minute drama to make a smile for skyblues fans!
@michaelrenwick_: Wow, we take the point and move, 1 point is better than none, still not the ideal result but the fact playoffs is still on from where we were after 10 games is incredible.
@barnsey__15: I swear if that’s the goal that gets us into the playoffs. Football heritage
@AndiMorris85: Who doesn’t love it when keepers score?! 😍😍😍
@billykey00: Of course it came off his hand. And, next season, in the premier league, it will get picked up by VAR 😂 Ben Wilson’s magic… #PUSB
@quietehappy: It was the only way we were gonna score .😂😂
@lindbreeds: Give the guy a knighthood
@NSBsparkles: Only special goalkeepers score goals!!! Super Ben Wilson!!! 🔥⚽💙 #PUSB
@ChrisJMoffitt: You have to be kidding me
@1BFCS: They’ve obvious never heard of Robins time. Still all to play for. The next two home games are CRUCIAL #PUSB
@CRickhuss72: He was in the box… he’s allowed… learn the rules
@mykegrimes: Maybe try playing football instead of time wasting (unpunished) next time. Won’t leave yourselves open to Big Ben Wilson punching it in the net! 🤙🏻
@skybluelee76: Is that worse than the play acting by your players all second half? 🤔
@littlewood88: 2 seasons running you have time wasted and conceded in injury time – when will you learn 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 he’s magic you know, super Ben Wilson scores goals
@graham_ccfc: Ha, keep crying: 16 defeats, negative GD, worst fans in the league, ref on your side all night until then, got what you deserved! #PUSB 💙
@Jay75577255Jay: We will keep that quiet and take the point home 😬 #pusb Good luck for the play off push (obvs we will get 5th and you can have 6th)
@TomBayl73547411: He’s magic you know Super Ben Wilson in goal
BEN WILSON. pic.twitter.com/0e9x1t6aVR
— fingaldinz (@fingaldinz) April 19, 2023
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