Wayne Rooney rages at the penalty decision as his Birmingham City side lose a third straight game since he came in to replace John Eustace.
The Blues boss was keen to look at the positives despite his side losing at Southampton in the Championship at the weekend, but couldn’t help but criticise officials over the controversial call.
Goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Carlos Alcaraz and Adam Armstrong sealed a win for Russell Martin’s side, who ensure Rooney’s search for a first point as Birmingham manager extends into another week.
The Saints found themselves 2-0 up after just 21 minutes, however the visitors felt they were denied a way back into the game, with referee David Webb waving penalty appeals away despite Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu clattering into the back of Oliver Burke in the box.
Birmingham got one back through Jay Stansfield just under a minute after he was brought on in the second half, before Adam Armstrong netted with a low shot to seal the victory.
It means Southampton now sit 4th in the table following their encouraging recent form seeing them climb up the table, now having 24 points from 14 games played. Birmingham, who were 6th when Eustace was sacked, now sit 14th with 18 points from 14 games.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Mike Dean is shocked Birmingham are not awarded a penalty in their clash at Southampton
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean on Soccer Saturday:
“It’s embarrassing as it is such a bad decision – the Birmingham player has won the ball and he has just smashed him in the back and it is not even a hard decision, the ‘keeper is nowhere near the ball and it is just a penalty all day long.
“It is just basic refereeing.”
“It’s embarrassing to be fair!” 😤
Mike Dean is shocked Birmingham were not awarded a penalty in their clash against Southampton 👇❌ pic.twitter.com/tksc2pvCnz
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 28, 2023
A face that tells you all you need to know … 😬 pic.twitter.com/FNz2GvphHE
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 28, 2023
Southampton’s Russell Martin:
“I haven’t seen it back but at the time I thought it was a penalty. I feel for Wayne and if he’s frustrated with that I would be as well. It was a moment of madness from Gav. He hadn’t had a lot to do at that point.
It has been a really nice run, especially after the run that came before that.
“That probably makes me more proud of the players and the staff for the way they came through that. It has been beautiful to see the growth in that time.
“To see them smiling together and fighting for each other, it has been brilliant to be a part of it.
Birmingham’s Wayne Rooney:
“These decisions happen when you don’t have VAR. I’m not a fan of VAR and you accept referees and linesmen might make mistakes but what you can’t accept is the penalty decision.
“It is ridiculous and everyone in the stadium could see it. The keeper is committed and is coming at pace and is reckless. If he is coming like that then he has to win the ball but he absolutely wipes out Burkey.
“The most frustrating thing is that the fourth official told me that the referee was clear in his decision and wasn’t willing to take advice from his fourth official and assistant. He was clear there was minimal contact. That is a worry for me.
“I hope VAR doesn’t filter down but we would have got a penalty if VAR was here. I know referees will make mistakes, I can accept that but for me that was too much and a big error.”
Southampton [4-3-3]: Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek, James Bree, Will Smallbone (Shea Charles 81), Flynn Downes, Stuart Armstrong (Samuel Edozie 82), Adam Armstrong (captain), Carlos Alcaraz (Joe Aribo 69), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ryan Fraser 76).
Substitutes not used: Alex McCarthy, Ryan Manning, Mason Holgate, Sekou Mara, Sam Amo-Ameyaw.
Bookings: None.
Blues [4-2-3-1]: John Ruddy, Cody Drameh, Dion Sanderson (Captain), Emanuel Aiwu (Marc Roberts 76), Emmanuel Longelo, Krystian Bielik (Gary Gardner 69), Ivan Sunjic, Oliver Burke (Scott Hogan 69), Jordan James, Siriki Dembele (Jay Stansfield 57), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Koji Miyoshi 76).
Substitutes not used: Neil Etheridge, Ethan Laird, Marc Roberts, Kevin Long, Brandon Khela.
Bookings: Aiwu 44, Gardner 80, James 90+3, Stansfield 90+8.
Referee: David Webb.
“I think the decision on the penalty was an absolute disgrace” 😠
Wayne Rooney has his say on the controversial moment which saw his Birmingham side NOT awarded a penalty against Southampton ❌ pic.twitter.com/NJyKygkHa1
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 28, 2023
This is how fans reacted as Wayne Rooney rages at the penalty decision after his Birmingham side lose for a third straight game…
@ftlotg66: Shocking that wasn’t given
@arsenaldowns78: Could have seriously injured the Birmingham player there and it shows keepers can keep doing those kind of reckless jumps cause nothing is coming of it
@delves1: Surely VAR has to come into the championship soon
@T10WS: Not just the refs fault this. The assistant ref had a clear side on view. Awful decision. Embarrassing to be honest. #BCFC
@ElliottBCFC: you should drop in on literally any championship game, there is a decision this bad in every single one
@sfckieran: same exact challenge hasn’t been given multiple times in the prem, not saying it isn’t a pen but how he of all people can sit there and say it’s embarrassing but defend his premier league mates who make the same errors each week
@carterb1996: It’s blues so it’s funny to me but on a serious note, it’s fuckin shocking, jump with a keeper for a header and the keeper gets the foul, keeper comes out and does that and it’s a goal kick 😳😳🤯🤯
@AndyPhillips1: @FA_PGMOL championship referees AND linesmen are horrific! Sunderland game almost ruined again today for the fourth straight game. Apologies don’t cut it. Absolutely blind half of them!
@Chris_BoroUTB: Even Mike Dean can’t defend the standard of referees at Championship level 🤦🏻♂️
@BluesCollective: Still fuming how everyone but the ref thought that was 100% penalty… @EFL
@BCFCkie: Appalling decision
@PL13Les: The fact two officials within 10 Metres can’t see this is worrying. The most blatant penalty I think I have ever seen. Someone the ref has got something in his head saying NO!! Mind boggling isn’t it
@PriceyNumber1: How the fuck aren’t these ever pens? 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@AllanJames808: @EFL The Referees have been shocking for years. The standard of refereeing in the Championship is embarrassing.
@Mcbcfc: Decisions like this in week out in the football league. The standards of officials are so poor!
@pingitinFM: Wish refs would make decisions in the box like they do on the rest of the pitch, would eliminate a lot mistakes.
@AdamMasefield: The referees have acc some love affair with Southampton. 2 stonewall penalties in as many games. How much are they paying them? #pnefc
@wardy491: It’s the every week the ex prem clubs bring their own referees
@AllEnglandFlags: It’s all proof that goalkeepers are overprotected and the sooner the refs grasp this the better. It’s utterly pathetic how much keepers can get away with.
@nathanhudson04: we’re used to it lmao we get decisions like this against us every few games just finally got it on a televised game for people to see it for themselves
@j_187599: Are we even shocked anymore, pathetic refereeing favouring the ‘bigger’ teams in the league yet again #bcfc
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