Credit: Goals Xtra

Keith Hackett

Sun 9 March 2025 8:00, UK

Adam Herczeg and his assistants were at the heart of controversy as West Brom beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in the Championship on Saturday.

Darnell Furlong was shown a straight red card for an adjudged elbow on Koki Saito at The Hawthorns, minutes after Adam Armstrong scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Tony Mowbray was enraged by the decision, with Furlong left bewildered as he left the pitch early.

Keith Hackett spots twist in Furlong red card

Speaking exclusively to West Brom News after watching different angles of the collision, Hackett states that the movement has to be deliberate to justify a red card.

The ex-FIFA referee also pointed out the assistant referee failing to indicate a red card offence to Herczeg, before he dished out the punishment to Furlong.

“We need to confirm that there was a deliberate use of the elbow on the player who went to ground without protest,” Hackett said.

“The interesting view is that of the Assistant Referee close to the incident who appears to make no vigorous use of the flag to indicate a red card offence.”

West Brom continue Championship charge

After the solid point at Elland Road against Leeds, Mowbray will have been delighted to get over the line against QPR on 8 March at The Hawthorns.

Despite having one less man for the entire second half, the Baggies were more than deserving of the three points to stay in the play-offs.

With Coventry winning again, it was vital to keep up momentum.

Bristol City, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Watford all failed to win in the chasing pack though, creating a tiny bit of breathing space for the Albion.

West Brom next travel to Burnley on Tuesday in the Championship for one of the toughest tests there is, and being without Furlong will be a real blow for Mowbray.

Mason Holgate may be next in line to come in, but he will need to step up massively.