Phil SumblerThere was little doubt where Neil Warnock was pointing the finger of blame after watching his side concede a last minute penalty against the Swans to lose the game 2-1 at the Liberty.
There is little doubt that Middlesbrough were the better side, particularly in the second half, against the Swans but the decision to award the penalty for a foul on Bidwell was just the last on what Warnock believes was an afternoon where he was let down by the officials.
Warnock was citing many decisions that he believed the officials got wrong when he spoke to Sky Sports after the game and made comments that almost certainly will see him hit with a FA charge for his criticism of the refereeing team.
The veteran manager ranted at the referee at the final whistle along with many of his players but ultimately it won’t make any difference to the result which will always show the Swans running out 2-1 winners to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.
“I’m just really disappointed, I thought the lads played some good football and I thought we were the best side on the pitch,” said Warnock.
“I didn’t see them have many chances at all and we’ve been let down by poor officials really nothing else.
“I think with ten minutes gone, Manning took Dijksteel out and not one of the four officials saw it, and it ended up him coming off injured. He’s deliberately kicked out at him and has taken him down.
“Bola’s goal is a certain goal, it’s either a penalty to us or a certain goal, but because the kid dives he gives it as if they’re diving.
“He gets the ball Bolasie so it should be a penalty or a goal, where do you go from there? How do I not come on here and not get fined, it’s just the worst afternoon for many, many weeks.
“We have had a few of these, you saw the penalty the other night at Stoke City, never a penalty in a million years and they won the game so by that reckoning they will get promoted if they get the right referees.”
It was the decision to award the penalty that of course was freshest in his mind when he spoke to Sky after the game. Watching the replay back the referee gave a corner for a few seconds before pointing at the spot, something which was not lost on Warnock as he continued.
“I think the fourth official gave it because he was the nearest man to it in the 90 whatever minute.
“If you aren’t sure you don’t give it.”
