Dan Carter

Sat 7 October 2023 11:40, UK

Carlos Corberan was left enraged by the officials in the clash between West Brom and Birmingham City, claiming the Baggies faced “more than just 11 players”.

Albion were beaten 3-1 by John Eustace’s side at St Andrew’s on Friday (October) having taken an early lead through John Swift before goals from Juninho Bacuna, Dion Sanderson and Gary Gardner ensured the Baggies would head into the international break with a defeat.

But following the game, West Brom manager Corberan was left irritated by referee James Linington’s performance after Koji Miyoshi seemingly slipped in front of Cedric Kipre only for Linington to award the home side a penalty to level the score and alter the complexion of the match.

Speaking after the game, as quoted by the Daily Mirror (7 October) Corberan said: “Today we competed against more than just 11 players, it’s difficult to analyse the game without talking about the penalty because it changed the game.

“When you’re a coach and you put your life into this work – and I put my life into this work – how do you feel? It was one action where the player (Miyoshi) slipped in front of Kipre, you have to consider if it was a penalty. Their other two goals came from a second-phase set-piece and a free-kick.

“In a month’s time, no one will remember this, but I will never forget this. This action has had a massive impact. I feel emotionally it affected the concentration of our players because in football and in life when something is unfair, it’s difficult to accept.”

Tough to take

Corberan is well within his rights to feel frustrated by the referee’s decision on Friday as there was no chance that the Blues should have been awarded a penalty given the complete lack of contact between Kipre and Miyoshi.

For the West Brom boss to say it affected his side for the remainder of the game is a bit concerning, however, as the best sides who are in the hunt for promotion need to be able to let these sorts of controversial moments pass them by and continue to try and find a way of winning the game.

However, there is a genuine issue with the standard of refereeing in the Championship that has been evident across several matches in the past week, whether it be at St Andrew’s on Friday or in Leeds’ clash with QPR in midweek where Asmir Begovic was sent off despite not making contact with Patrick Bamford.

You could argue that because Birmingham went on to score another two goals, the penalty call didn’t ultimately matter, but anyone involved in football knows that it isn’t that cut and dry. Given the implications such calls can have not only on individual matches but the entire season, referees have to be better.

However, it is more than likely that the only thing to come from Corberan’s outburst will be a nice hefty fine for the West Brom boss.

In other West Brom news, Corberan has reluctantly praised Kyle Bartley’s recent individual performances for the Baggies