West Brom boss Carlos Corberan makes ‘fair’ admission on controversial Brandon Thomas-Asante goal v Leeds United
Carlos Corberan said he “wants the things that happen on the pitch to be fair” after West Brom were awarded a controversial goal in their 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
Jayson Molumby’s shot deflected off Brandon Thomas-Asante’s arm for Albion’s 52nd-minute opener at Elland Road on Friday [18 August], with the latter credited with the goal.
Leeds hit back through captain Luke Ayling, but the fact the visitors’ goal was allowed to stand was the main talking point after the game.
Asked about his thoughts on the incident, former Leeds coach Corberan is quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post [18 August] as saying: “I hope the goal we scored was fair, because I want the things that happen on the pitch to be fair.
“I don’t want that we get an advantage or the opponent. I understand how hard it is for referees and that is why VAR helps them to make decisions.
“In the Championship we have to understand the referees are going to have some mistakes – they are human, it’s going to happen.”
Slice of luck
Officials do indeed make mistakes in the Championship, but that should not be the case.
There is no VAR in operation in the English Football League, so referee Matt Donohue’s decision was final.
The man in the middle did not spot that Molumby’s shot, which in fairness did take another deflection before going in off Thomas-Asante, had hit the arm of the latter.
It was made all the more difficult for Leeds to accept as they were the side on top and would have been ahead if not for Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
It was a slice of luck Corberan will take, with the draw taking his side to four points from their first three matches – a loss, a win and a draw.
They came away from Elland Road with a positive result despite not playing at their best, which can only be a good thing for the Baggies in the long run.
However, they cannot rely on poor refereeing decisions when they return to action against Middlesbrough next Saturday [26 August].
In other West Brom news, a player could be heading for The Hawthorns exit before the transfer window closes.