Mowatt incident: Ex-FIFA official reacts to what West Brom star did v Bristol City
Alex Mowatt grabbed his seventh goal of the season as West Brom lost to Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.
Tony Mowbray seems unable to get Albion to finish in the Championship play-off spots now with his side falling to a third successive defeat and a fifth game without a victory.
West Brom’s poor run actually stretches back as far as September, winning just eight times in 35 Championship matches.
Despite struggling to win regularly in the league, the Baggies have largely stayed in the top-six picture – until now.
Josh Griffiths howler after Jayson Molumby red card
Haydon Roberts’ last-gasp goal at the end of stoppage time won the game for Bristol City against West Brom.
They’re now well worthy of their spot in the Championship play-offs, with Albion now languishing in eighth, three points off the pace with five games to play.
Jayson Molumby had earlier been sent off for a stupid challenge while Josh Griffiths was at fault for conceding Roberts’ late goal despite making several impressive saves earlier in the game.
And even goalscorer Mowatt was guilty of poor behaviour and before his goal, he could have easily found himself punished by the referee.
Keith Hackett reacts as Mowatt shows dissent v Bristol City
In the 36th minute, West Brom goalkeeper Griffiths was forced to pull off a super double save to keep the score level after a defensive mix-up.
Albion’s defenders thought Mark Sykes was offside before he pulled a first save out of Griffiths, who was back in the side to replace out-of-form Joe Wildsmith.
After the attacking play subsided with an eventual offside against Bristol City, Mowatt was spotted sarcastically applauding the linesman for finally raising his flag.
Former FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett watched footage of the incident, and while he believes Mowatt’s behaviour wasn’t great, it’s not something he would have booked the midfielder for.
“When out in the middle, I used to say to myself, ‘don’t look for trouble‘,” Hackett told West Brom News.
“This is one of those moments that you let pass without issuing a yellow card.
“However, next time I am in the zone of the player, I would suggest to him that ‘I want to see an improvement in his behaviour’. Also, I would speak with the captain to warn him and tell him to have a word with his teammate.”