Ex-PGMOL chief clarifies West Brom goal controversy: ‘There is a hand on the QPR player’
West Brom’s winner against QPR was rightfully allowed to stand, according to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
West Brom beat QPR 2-1 at The Hawthorns on Monday evening, with goals from George Campbell and Nat Phillips securing all three points for the Baggies.
Ryan Mason came into the game under huge sack pressure, but will be feeling slightly safer after both Campbell and Phillips headed home, either side of an Ousmane Diakite own goal.
However, there was some controversy around the game, with QPR feeling that West Brom’s winner should have been disallowed.
Referee made correct decision on Nat Phillips header
Early in the second half, with the scores level at 1-1, West Brom were awarded a free-kick wide on the right wing.
Mikey Johnston curled the set-piece into the box, with Phillips rising highest and powering a header past Ben Hamer in the QPR goal.
There was some suggestion that Aune Heggebo had shoved Jonathan Varane out of the way to make room for Phillips to connect with the ball, but former referee Hackett believes it wasn’t enough to disallow the goal.
Speaking exclusively to West Brom News, Hackett said: “In today’s game, we are witnessing a lot of grappling, holding, pushing and pulling going unpunished by referees at the professional level of the game.
“There is no doubt that there is a hand on the QPR player, but frankly, you are not going to see these types of incidents penalised.
“The PGMOL appear to have set the bar for penalising pushing offences. They want to see a sustained push with a degree of force.
“So no reason therefore under the current application of law by PGMOL refs to believe this would be penalised.”
Nat Phillips goal a ‘stay of execution’ for Ryan Mason
Despite Phillips’ goal proving to be decisive at The Hawthorns, it feels like the win over QPR is simply papering over cracks for Mason.
West Brom remain seven points adrift of the play-offs in the Championship, and even including Monday evening’s victory, they have lost four of their last six games.
Mason will be afforded another few weeks to turn things around after picking up three points against QPR, but it could prove to be a stay of execution for the Baggies boss.
If he is unable to drastically alter West Brom’s fortunes, especially away from home where they have lost eight consecutive games, then he will surely be dismissed.
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