Bolton Wanderers Football Club

• Nickname:Wanderers
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Dougie Freedman

• Ground:Reebok Stadium
• Capacity:28000

Megson slams penalty call

28 Sep 2008 - 08:31:11

Click To Enlarge

Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson accused referee Rob Styles of costing his side any chance of taking something from Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United following his award of a second-half penalty.

Styles awarded United a 60th-minute spot-kick despite Jlloyd Samuel appearing to win the ball cleanly off Cristiano Ronaldo in the box.

The Portuguese winger converted the penalty before substitute Wayne Rooney made certain of the points with a 77th-minute second goal for the champions at Old Trafford.

"When Rob Styles blew the whistle I thought he was going to book Ronaldo for diving," said Megson. "He did not seem to be sure what he was going to give.

"My thoughts on the tackle were the same as everyone else's in the stadium apart from one man.

"When the referee sees it again, he will have the same opinion too. It really sticks in the throat.

"It is a bit churlish to say it cost us the game because they were having a lot of possession and had chances, as you would expect.

"But it was 0-0 and we were doing well, and after the goal we had to change our shape and that opened the pitch up for what is one of the best teams in the world."