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Referee earns Bruce wrath

19 Aug 2007 - 10:31:50

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Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce accused referee Mark Halsey of favouring the bigger clubs after awarding a controversial penalty in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by West Ham United.

Bruce was angry that the Hammers were awarded a 70th minute penalty - converted by Mark Noble - after striker Craig Bellamy went down after a collision with Blues goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

The controversial decision came just days after Bruce felt his young goalkeeper was impeded when Sunderland scored a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

"I didn't intend to come out here and bleat as West Ham were the better side," said Bruce.

"But in my view it wasn't a penalty against Colin. It was an experienced player knowing exactly what he was doing and there was a bit of inexperience from my keeper.

"He has made a genuine attempt to play the ball and any contact at all was minimal.

"We have now had two decisions go against us in three games and they have cost us dearly.

"I did wonder if it was a case of the big club versus little club syndrome.

"The big clubs always do seem to get the decisions against the small clubs and we've been on the end of two howlers in my opinion.

"I also felt we paid the penalty of three games in six days, whereas West Ham hadn't played since last weekend."