West Brom player gets lucky in Watford loss as ex-FIFA official reacts to footage
West Brom were extremely fortunate in the 2-1 loss to Watford on Wednesday.
Isaac Price opened the scoring in the 34th minute for West Brom, but goals from Imran Louza and Rocco Vata put the hosts in front on 22 October.
The Hawthorns outfit could not find a way back into the Vicarage Road contest, and they were ultimately defeated.
However, it could have been even worse for Ryan Mason‘s men.
Aune Heggebo should have been sent off for West Brom
Aune Heggebo was chosen to lead West Brom’s line over Josh Maja, and he was involved in a controversial incident just after half-time.
With the scores at 1-1, the Norway star launched a reckless lunge on Hector Kyprianou, and was cautioned by the referee.
Former FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett believes that the Baggies should have been reduced to 10 men for the challenge, after seeing footage of the incident.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, he said: “This challenge fulfils the requirement for Serious Foul Play and should be sanctioned with a red card. Watford have every right to be disappointed.
A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
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Heggebo needs to be dropped by Mason
Heggebo is simply not pulling his weight at the moment, as he has scored just one goal and notched two assists in 10 league matches so far.
The Baggies need more from the man leading the line, they cannot keep relying on Price to bail them out, they need the Norwegian to stand up and be counted.
Reckless actions like the one against the Hornets cannot be tolerated, especially when he is not providing the goods, and he should be dropped by Mason next time around.
He cannot risk having a liability on the pitch, who cannot even do the job that he is paid for, most of the time.
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