Lee Bell felt referee Sunny Singh Gill “spoilt the game” after Crewe missed the chance to move into the League Two play-off places following a 1-1 draw with Salford.
City broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Ben Woodburn scored his first goal for the club with a cool finish past Filip Marschall after Kylian Kouassi allowed Haji Mnoga’s pass to run through his legs.
However, Crewe deservedly drew level after 26 minutes when Ryan Cooney headed in Zac Williams’ floated cross from the left at the back post to score his first league goal.
The Railwaymen twice went close to winning the game as Salford goalkeeper Jamie Jones produced magnificent finger-tip saves to deny Shilow Tracey and substitute Owen Lunt late on.
However, Crewe boss Bell was left frustrated by a number of decisions made by Gill which he felt disrupted the flow of the game.
Bell said: “He (the referee) wasn’t great was he? I had a conversation with him about some of the things that go on off the ball and he didn’t do anything about it because he lost control of the game which spoils it a little bit.
“We couldn’t believe some the things that were going on for either team. It spoilt the game really.
“It was a messy game, they (Salford) are ever so good at doing that and spoiling how you want to play, we started really well and their goal deflated us a little bit, it was a real scrappy affair.
“The players stood up to absolutely everything, their discipline was key because I’m pretty sure my discipline wouldn’t have been great if I was on that pitch with some of the things that were going against them.
“I’m just pleased with the character the players showed, we did try to play at times and we had an outlet, we’ll take a point and move on.”
Salford remain winless on the road this season and manager Karl Robinson wants his team to improve in the final third.
Robinson said: “I felt we were the better team, I’m challenging the team, ‘have we got that steeliness yet?’ I feel like it’s almost there.
“When we’re on top in games, getting that second goal will make all the difference to us, we just don’t seem to get it at the right time. It’s that final third now, self-confidence, self-belief, I can smell it though, it’s coming.
“The growth of us, the birth of us, our DNA is young, athletic players who want to fight for each other and play with an edge but we’ve got to find a calmness and a better end product.
“We’ve settled on a shape now but we’ve got to make sure we make it a shape other teams can’t compete with.
“I’ve said so many times, you win the next game and that point becomes an outstanding point, it becomes a rubbish one if we don’t.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
