Keith Hackett reacts to footage of Nat Phillips penalty incident in West Brom defeat vs Birmingham

Keith Hackett was left impressed by referee Gavin Ward in West Bromwich Albion's defeat to Birmingham City.

Ward is one of the most experienced officials in the EFL, and it was he who took charge of West Brom against Birmingham on Saturday.

James Morrison's side were beaten 1-0 by Blues, after August Priske swept home from the penalty spot on 41 minutes.

The Baggies are now three league games without a win, and face a tough away test against Wrexham on Tuesday night.

It can typically be the case in these local rivalry games where referees fail to get a grip on the game, and thus make the wrong calls in the big moments.

However, Hackett doesn't feel this was the case with Ward at The Hawthorns this weekend.

Did Gavin Ward get Birmingham penalty decision right?

The big flashpoint in West Brom's loss to Birmingham came via the aforementioned penalty incident in the first half.

Ward adjudged that Albion defender Nat Phillips dragged down Priske inside the box as the Danish striker prepared to put a header on goal.

Speaking exclusively with West Brom News, ex-FIFA referee Hackett thinks that Ward was absolutely correct to point to the spot.

"Refreshing to see a referee correctly award a penalty kick to Birmingham City," he said.

"A clear holding offence correctly penalised. Well done to referee Gavin Ward who delivered an excellent first-half performance."

So, do West Brom have a problem when it comes to committing too many fouls this season?

Morrison can't account for individual concentration lapses

The Phillips incident against Birmingham is one that will drive Morrison up the wall.

He'd set his team up to at least get something from that game, even if a point would still have been slightly disappointing given Albion were the home side.

One point is better than none though, and if it wasn't for Phillips' moment of madness after switching off inside the box, West Brom would be fourth before the 3pm kick-offs.

Per FotMob, West Brom averaged the fifth-fewest fouls per game (10.0) in the Championship this season prior to Saturday's 3pm slate.

That proves the Baggies don't have a fundamental fouling problem in this group, rather, it's individual moments like the one seen on Saturday.

So, Morrison must keep his head up whilst he also must strive to get this message across, as Albion can't afford to be held back by costly mistakes.

It will be fascinating to see what Morrison does with Phillips now regarding his place in the starting lineup for the trip to Wrexham.