Blackburn boss John Eustace criticised referee Darren England for making a “disappointing” penalty decision that he claimed handed Watford a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory.
Defender Dominic Hyam blasted a close-range first-half effort against the underside of the bar and veteran Andreas Weimann was at fault in the second half when he somehow managed to lift the ball onto the roof of the net.
Edo Kayembe then sent Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears the wrong way in the 71st minute after Ryan Hedges was penalised by England for handball.
Former Watford captain Eustace, whose current team remain without an away win this season, said: “I was so disappointed to lose on a really poor decision from the referee.
“I’ve seen it a number of times. I think it is a really poor decision.
“Ryan had his hands a little bit high but the ball has come off the lad’s back and hit his hand. Our lad wasn’t even looking at the ball. It is a poor decision that has cost us three points.
“I thought it was a very, very, good performance. With and without the ball we were very good. We had spells where we kept possession really well and had a few good chances.
“We had the best two chances of the game, which we have got to put away, with Andy and Dominic.
“We limited a really good team at home to next to nothing. You know, a bit of pressure which is fine but again we defended very well.”
Watford are unbeaten in 12 league and cup matches at home since Tom Cleverley took over and the boss explained that Kayembe was fourth-choice penalty taker, with Tom Dele-Bashiru out injured and replacement Tom Ince already subbed.
Cleverley said: “I’d like to think we leave no stone unturned but today we did. We didn’t have a backup penalty taker. So I thought Moussa Sissoko took control of the situation fantastically well.
“He got the ball and came to me and asked my advice. My first choice was a player who is massively confident for us at the minute but he didn’t want to take the penalty so number two took it and that was Edo and he dispatched it.
“It was better than I could have done it. I remember missing one in the last minute at Goodison Park and completely folded.”
Of Eustace’s complaints about the handball decision, Cleverley said: “We’re rolling back the years a bit to 15 years ago to this day I was probably watching John Eustace hammer a referee, so things don’t change.”
Cleverley, after suffering two defeats in a week before facing Blackburn, was also boosted by a giant flag in his support unveiled by some home fans.
He said: “Being a born and bred northerner, and being adopted as ‘one of your own’ to the point there is a banner in The Rookery for me, it make you feel pride, emotional. I am glad the players could repay them with a win today.”
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 5 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 6 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 7 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 8 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 9 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 10 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth