Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann has hit out at two penalty decisions that ultimately cost his team the game against Blackburn Rovers last night.
Ewood Park hosted the latest Lancashire derby in front of the Sky TV cameras, with Blackburn emerging with a 2-1 victory. The 1995 Premier League champions took a first half lead through Makhtar Gueye and headed into the break deservedly in front.
The Lilywhites came out fighting in the second period, taking the game to their local rivals. However, John Eustace’s side were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute in what looked like harsh circumstances. Defender Jack Whatmough accidentally headbutted Dominic Hyam when attempting to clear a corner, but the visitors appeals went unheeded. Todd Cantwell duly tucked away the resulting spot kick.
Preston refused to give up though and pulled one back in added time through Brad Potts, but they could’ve been awarded a penalty of their own moments later. The ball appeared to strike Rovers’ goalscorer Gueye on the arm, whilst there was also an argument the attacker fouled Potts.
McCann Questions Decisions
Understandably, the aftermath was dominated by talk of the two penalty decisions – one given and one not. Preston midfielder McCann revealed his frustration after the game, saying:
“We probably deserved to be 1-0 down but second half we were much better and let’s be honest, it’s a dodgy penalty. I am not not one to harp on about refs or anything but we’ve come on the wrong side of a few dodgy decisions today maybe. Close decisions, I would say. He said Jack’s headed him after he’s headed the ball but he’s not even looking at it.
“If you give that then I think you’ve got to give the Pottsy one at the end, to be honest. It’s one of those things… we weren’t good enough to probably win the game but I think we definitely deserved a point at the end. I don’t think it’ll affect the games going forward. It’s just one of those emotional games as it is, being a local derby.”
Writer’s View
Preston are right to feel aggrieved at the penalty awarded against them. Whatmough made a genuine attempt to play the ball and there was no way he could have known that Hyam was behind him. If the officials are giving that, they definitely need to be giving one at the other end, especially when it can be argued that Gueye not only committed a foul but handled the ball as well. Blackburn will feel they got away with one here.
