Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes bemoaned the “horrendous” penalty award that sent his side on the way to a cruel 2-0 first-leg defeat against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League play-offs.
Italian referee Fabio Maresca stopped play out of the blue before going to the monitor and penalising David Watson for catching Mohamed Elyounoussi on the calf as the pair challenged for a bouncing ball at a corner.
The former Celtic winger had already played the ball and his shot came to nothing and there were few discernible appeals for a spot-kick before the video assistant intervened.
Kevin Diks’ penalty was just out of Kieran O’Hara’s reach in the 77th minute and worse was to come for the visitors when Rasmus Falk volleyed home from a half-cleared corner seconds after the five minutes of stoppage-time were up.
McInnes told BBC Scotland’s Sportsound programme: “We spoke at half-time about how we had limited them to shots from distance and a few crosses.
“They hadn’t really done much to trouble us, they didn’t really disrupt our shape. The game played out exactly as I was hoping to be honest.
“We carried a threat and had some good moments in that first half, to give the players some encouragement we could get something from the game.
“Their manager made a few changes, they tried to move the ball a bit quicker and I thought they started the second half a bit better.
“But by and large we felt okay until the referee gets involved with the penalty kick.
“For me, it’s a horrendous decision. I think it’s extremely harsh. I don’t think it’s a clear and obvious error and it surprised everybody when he was asked to go over.
“Elyounoussi had got the first touch on it but I don’t think it impacts on him having a shot. It was just a coming-together and I don’t think it’s a penalty-kick.
“If he gives the penalty at the time I’d be really disappointed but maybe could understand it a wee bit more. But I just don’t think it’s a clear and obvious error.
“For the effort, work and organisation and everything we did in the game, to lose a goal like that is extremely harsh.”
Elyounoussi missed a sitter seconds after the opener before Killie again reverted to being solid until the closing seconds.
“The five minutes after that was probably their best spell in the game,” McInnes said. “I think it floored us a bit. I know how gutted I felt on the touchline and I know how it can knock the stuffing out of you.
“But other than that I thought we managed to see the game out except for the dying embers.
“Maybe we could have put the ball out for a throw instead of a corner, and I think we could head the ball up from the clearance, and then we were a wee bit on our heels at the edge of the box.
“At this level, when you see the quality of the finish, we are just annoyed they had the chance to have that shot.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
