Keith Hackett: West Brom deserved red card v Fulham
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League & FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at West Brom...
Keith Hackett is adamant that Darnell Furlong deserved to be dismissed at Fulham on Saturday as West Brom lost 3-0 to their promotion rivals.
Furlong, 26, was sent off in the 70th-minute at Craven Cottage for a challenge on Welsh winger Harry Wilson.
The Albion right-back was the wrong side of Wilson as he bore down on goal and despite getting a touch on the ball, he was shown a red card for hauling the Fulham star down.
Ex-Premier League referee Hackett has now delivered his verdict on the incident, and he is in no two minds as to whether Michael Salisbury got his decision correct.
“As soon as he’s given the free-kick, there’s obviously an argument and he’s through,” Hackett told West Brom News.
“It’s a definite foul, that’s for sure. [If you] take the player who’s made the kick away, he’s going to have a shot on goal. There are no covering defenders.
“That’s a clear red card, he’s got that one right.”
Big miss
Furlong has been an ever-present for Albion in the Championship this season, starting all 15 games so far.
The only game he has missed in all competitions was the 6-0 League Cup loss to Arsenal in August where Valerien Ismael opted to make wholesale changes.
19-year-old Ethan Ingram was deployed as right wing-back that night, and he could deputise for Furlong when Hull City make the trip to The Hawthorns on Wednesday.
Ingram has not been named in a Championship matchday squad since the first game of the season, a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, but options are limited in that area with Ismael unable to sign a senior deputy during the summer transfer window.
The only other viable option appears to be moving Matt Phillips back from attack.
In other West Brom news, Jeff Stelling has shared his honest verdict on this major Albion player controversy against Fulham.
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