Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor questioned referee Gavin Ward as his Pirates lost at home for only the second time in Sky Bet League One this season.
Blackpool came out of the blocks quickest to score twice in the first 20 minutes at the Memorial Stadium en route to a 2-1 victory.
Kyle Joseph twice crossed low, initially for CJ Hamilton to shoot into the top corner of the Rovers net in the fifth minute before midfielder Karamoko Dembele then converted from another Joseph cross 14 minutes later.
Rovers responded through Chris Martin’s deft flick, following a long throw, and Taylor argued that his side should have had a free-kick at least – if not a penalty – when Aaron Collins was brought down with just a minute of the game left to play.
“It’s definitely a foul,” said Taylor. “You’ll probably freeze frame it to see if it was in the box or not but it was definitely a foul.
“Just like the handball in the wall in the first half was definitely that.
“The biggest one for me is their second goal. I need to get clarity from the officials for that in relation to what I need to instruct Connor Taylor to do in that situation.
“Jordan Rhodes is in an offside position and Taylor is stretching and back-pedalling. He heads it into a dangerous area and their player picks it up.
“One pass and it’s in the back of the net. Does he leave it? For me it’s still offside.”
Taylor added that he didn’t think referee Ward had controlled the game, with eight yellow cards handed out in the match, explaining that he would be unlikely to be asked by the media about the referee if the official had produced a good performance.
The former Exeter boss did hint after the game that striker Martin is set to extend his contract through to the end of the season.
Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley dismissed talk that his team might have conceded a late penalty when Collins was caught by two Seasiders defenders as he burst into the penalty area in stoppage time.
“It’s outside the box,” he said. “He falls in the box but it’s outside the box.
“It could have been given but we could have been given one against Nottingham Forest the other night.
“These things happen. I’ve got a list to go through of penalties that we should have had this season. But yes, maybe it was a free-kick.
“We’ve had to do it in a different way today. Certain aspects of our game away have been questioned this season. I think that answers some of them today.
“It wasn’t a pretty game of football but I thought we battled and competed and we had to against a really good team at home.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should Man Utd do with these guys? Who do you think will win the Ballon d'Or this year? If Liverpool really does this season Not all football players keep their physical condition after retiring ENGLAND KNOCK SWEDEN OUT OF EURO 2025 ON PENALTIES Barcelona in 2009 won all 6 available trophies! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be m...
Barcelona continue talks with United over Rashford loanDiscussions are ongoing between Barcelona and Manchester United as the Catalan giants pursue a deal for forward Marcus Rashford, according to Nicolo Schira. Barca are proposing a loan agreement that would include a conditional obligation to make the move permanent, aiming to work around their current financial constraints. The Red Devils, howe...
Jadon Sancho's transfer at Manchester United may go down as one of the most underwhelming ever.He arrived in 2021 for £73 million, making him Manchester United's fifth-most expensive signing ever, fresh off the back of a brace in the DFB-Pokal final, and was widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world.But we have never seen the best of Sancho in England as struggles with disciplin...
Manchester United have reportedly submitted a third transfer bid for Bryan Mbeumo which meets Brentford's valuation. The move looked to be under threat when Newcastle United turned their attention to Mbeumo's Brentford team-mate, Yoane Wissa, on Thursday.The Bees are only willing to lose one of their formidable attacking duo this summer, so if Newcastle tied up a quick deal for Wissa, Mbeumo would...
Liverpool target Hugo Ekitike has reportedly submitted a transfer request at Eintracht Frankfurt in a bid to seal his move to Anfield.The Frenchman has become Liverpool's prime target this summer, with the Premier League champions seemingly moving on from Newcastle's star Alexander Isak, who could have set them back by more than £125million had the Magpies been willing to part with their Swed...
Modric explains AC Milan choice: This club cannot accept mediocrityLuka Modric has explained his decision to sign with AC Milan.The Real Madrid great spoke to Milan's media channels this morning for the first time since completing his transfer.Modric said: 0"I wanted to stay in Europe to continue playing competitive football. I had other offers, but when AC Milan called me, it was clear to me. I w...
Man Utd make late attempt to trump Roma for Palmeiras starManchester United are threatening AS Roma plans for Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios.The Brazil international is subject of major interest from the Giallorossi - and is said to be keen on moving to Rome.TMW says last night, Roma chief Ricky Massara informed Palmeiras they plan to meet their €30m demands.Roma are ready to make an easi...
Napoli Set to Beat Man United to Potential €21m Andre Onana replacementNapoli are on the verge of signing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic for €21 million with the Torino 'keeper touted as a potential replacement for Andre Onana at Man United.Man United are understood to be weighing up whether they should sign a replacement for Onana, 29, following a string of high-profile mistakes between the s...
Former Man United Boss Erik ten Hag Addresses Potential Antony Reunion at Bayer LeverkusenFormer Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has broken his silence on the possibility of reuniting with Antony at Bayer Leverkusen.The 25-year-old is widely expected to leave Man United this summer despite an impressive second half of the season on loan with Real Betis.United are in desperate need of raisin...
Premier League Glory? Chelsea Backed for Title by Italian Legend Vieri, Who Praises Maresca’s ImpactChristian Vieri backs Chelsea to win the title next season, praising new boss Enzo Maresca for his impressive start at the club.Chelsea ended the 2024-25 season with two trophies and a place in next season’s Champions League despite a rocky patch over the festive period.Maresca’s s...
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fixture schedule, group standings, knockout round, tickets, format & everything you need to know
- 2 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 3 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 4 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Rashford becomes new club's 'priority target'
- 7 Meet Christian Norgaard's gorgeous wife
- 8 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 9 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 10 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed