Blackburn 1 Hull 0: Brown's fury at ref's 'nonsense' sending off of Boateng

11 February 2010 08:07
Phil Brown hit out at referee Lee Probert over his controversial decision to send off George Boateng as Hull sank deeper into relegation danger at Ewood Park.[LNB]The incident occurred seven minutes before half-time when Boateng collided with Morten Gamst Pedersen as they jumped for a ball, and appeared to catch the Norway midfielder with both his head and his arm. Blackburn were already leading 1-0 at the time.[LNB]Boateng's challenge seemed to be a genuine, if robust, attempt to win the ball but Probert had reached for his red card almost before the two men had hit the ground. The official had to wait while Boateng received treatment but showed no inclination to change his mind once the Dutchman had regained his senses.[LNB] Happy days: Martin Olsson celebrates with team-mates after Blackburn go ahead at Ewood Park[LNB]Hull boss Brown fumed: 'To say it's a nonsense is an understatement.The problem I've got with it is that referees are told to take theirtime to make decisions, and he had two or three minutes while Georgewas unconscious, but the card was out within seconds.[LNB]'He's had two sendings-off in his career which is a good record for a combative midfielder.[LNB]'It was a clash of heads and the reaction of the players tells you.I don't know if we'll appeal yet. I will bide my time like the refereeshould have done.'[LNB] Crucial moment: Martin Olsson hits the ball across goal and the ball goes in off Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill[LNB] [LNB]Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce sympathised, saying: 'The sending-offseemed a little harsh. Technically, because he's led with his arm, it'sa red card but I don't think it was intentional.'[LNB]Pedersen had already proved to be a thorn in Hull's side, supplyinga string of searching deliveries which created early chances for RyanNelsen and El Hadji Diouf before his pass prompted the move thatbrought the only goal of the night after a quarter of an hour.[LNB]Pedersen picked out Martin Olsson's run down the left as the youngSwede held off Craig Fagan on his way into the box, and his low effortfrom the tightest of angles somehow crept under Boaz Myhill's body andin at the far post.[LNB] Taking a tumble: Blackburn's Nikola Kalinic is tackled by George Boateng[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSBLACKBURN (4-5-1): Robinson 7; Salgado 6, Givet 6, Nelsen 7, Olsson 7; Emerton 6 (Roberts 70min), Nzonzi 6, Andrews 6, Pedersen 8, Diouf 7; Kalinic 7 (Reid 89). [LNB]Booked: Nelsen.[LNB]HULL (4-5-1): Myhill 5; McShane 5 (Zaki 67), Gardner 6, Mouyokolo 6, Dawson 6 (Zayatte 67); Fagan 5, Boateng 4, Cairney 6, Hunt 6; Altidore 5, Vennegoor of Hesselink 7 (Olofinjana 43, 6). [LNB]Booked: Altidore, McShane, Gardner. [LNB]Sent off: Boateng.[LNB]Man of the match: Morten Gamst Pedersen.[LNB]Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).[LNB]Replays suggested the goalkeeper got a decisive touch to send itover the line, meaning Olsson is still waiting for his Premier Leaguegoal for Blackburn.[LNB]'It's very harsh to take a piece of outstanding ability and notcredit him with the goal,' said Allardyce, who can now relax on histeam's warm-weather break in Dubai. [LNB]'It was typical that we made itdifficult for ourselves because that many chances went begging tofinish off Hull. [LNB]'When it doesn't happen you've got that fear that oneslip could mean them snatching a draw.'[LNB]That was so nearly the case as Brown's side tried to bulldoze theirway through at the end, but they could not find a way through.[LNB]  PREMIER LEAGUE - All Wednesday's action as it happenedFormer Blackburn and Leicester striker Paul Dickov joins Leeds on trialBLACKBURN FC

Source: Daily_Mail