Rafa Benitez was annoyed at his press conference after the game and said that in England they don’t know the rules and don’t protect the goalkeepers.
Rafa was rightly frustrated that we conceded the equalizer at the very end of the game and it was another dodgy goal having defended very well in this game.
But we have lost 2 points – 2 valuable points in the second season running we are fighting against relegation.
But after all, this is a club owned by Mike Ashley so we cannot expect much else.
That statement is true if damning and based on the facts after his awful 12 years at the club.
Martin Dubravka had failed to collect a high ball at the far post, and he should have punched the ball away for the win.
Captain Lascelles was infuriated with the goalkeeper after conceding and it was heartbreaking.
This is what Rafa said after the game after Boly had equalized on 95 minutes:
“I think we have to be really disappointed with the way we conceded in both games against this team.”
“We conceded twice against them in the last minute now.”
“This after an elbow in the face of one of my players and a penalty not given.”
“We can analyze the way we conceded but I’m really disappointed to do it this way but it is against a good team to be fair.”
“Yes (there was a hand in Dubravka’s face for the goal), and maybe a foul on Almiron before.
“It was also 94 minutes (after four mins of stoppage time).” “You can say many things but like the first game we can’t change that.”
“In England, they don’t understand the rules so you can say whatever you want to say.”
“We can only say we were winning 1-0 against a good team, that we should have had three points but we didn’t do it.”
“They we’re pushing, we could do better. Just punch the ball and finish.”
“We had to be strong enough defending the cross.” “These kinds of balls you can do a little bit better, punch the ball.”
“That’s it.” “It was not very clear watching the replay.” “It is something we have to defend better.”
“We know it is England and people will come to the keeper.”
“I was not happy with some decisions from the referee, but overall he was fine.”
It’s the second last-minute goal we have conceded against Wolves this season as they scored late in stoppage time at St. James Park in December to win 2-1.
That was after Perez had been left in their penalty area with a broken nose and no foul given by the referee.
These are difficult results to take, but we must move forward.
Comments welcome.
9 comments so far
RobLeenio
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:29 AM
Comment #1“in England, they don’t understand the rules”
Is he talking about the ref?
😮
kc2012
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Comment #2Catchy
Yes Longstaff is a player, well done RAFA for giving him his chance though hey.
Don’t know how anyone can blame the manager for the Wolves goal, but if that’s the case then well done RAFA for scoring our goal. Lovely finish by the big Spaniard
A disappointing end to the game but a point away at Wolves is a good result regardless.
Almiron looked very good, pace to burn and very creative. He will cause havoc once he’s settled in.
RobLeenio
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:40 AM
Comment #3genjikai, yeah I see what you’e saying a fine is probably not an issue, but a touchline ban would be harsh. Sure it won’t come to that, but still…
geordietom
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:41 AM
Comment #4rob …
think so mate …
geordietom
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:43 AM
Comment #5if that had of been De Gea the ref would of blown for a foul …
Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:44 AM
Comment #6Yedlin was poor on the night, Atsu was fairly anonymous, Hayden a little quiet first half but came on strong as the game developed, Dubravka blotted his copybook in an otherwise fine display, but was fouled for the equalizer. The rest of the side were varying degrees of good to great. Almiron looked rapid, direct and skillful on debut. Frankly, that’s the best we’ve looked all season, great in the press, moved the ball around the park at pace, and you’d have to think we’ll only get better from here. A heartbreaking end, but a very heartening performance all in all. Rafa is great.
Genjikai
Feb 12, 2019 at 9:45 AM
Comment #7I didnt hear him say out last neet in sky interview. But been on SSN and watched a short interview where he admitted to saying that phrase.
Never mind surely they got to take into account raw emotion under circumstances.
At the end of the day you just want consistent ref decsions but its never been that way in the prem.
Geordie-john
Feb 12, 2019 at 10:42 AM
Comment #8I don’t care what Carragher said last night , It was a foul on Dubravka. Boly jumped and put his hands briefly in front of his face distracting him then for good measure rested on top of his shoulders to get the advantage in the jump.
He fouled the keeper and the goal should not have stood. I feel very sure that had it been the other way around then we would not have been allowed to keep the goal.
Also , How come the FA won’t look into this incident. They do when we are deemed to be at fault.
DOUBLE STANDARDS !! AS USUAL .
Geordie-john
Feb 12, 2019 at 10:45 AM
Comment #9Bring in VAR full time to stop all of the little cheats and unfair advantages that these foreign managers and coaches are teaching their players to do.
I want to watch a fair game.