Reactions from an Ex-Premier League official on the contentious choice that led to Birmingham defeating West Brom

Dermot Gallagher stated that he believed West Brom’s decision to give up a penalty in their 3-1 loss to Birmingham City on Friday night was disappointing.

Birmingham defeated West Brom in a contentious match.

Albion had taken a 1-0 lead at St. Andrew’s thanks to a goal from John Swift, and they were feeling rather secure at the time. However, midway through the first half, Blues had a penalty kick opportunity to tie the score.

After a challenge on the forward, Cedric Kipre was ruled to have fouled Koji Miyoshi, despite the fact that replays showed the Baggies center-back won the ball and it actually deflected back off the Blues player, making it a goal kick instead.

However, Juninho Bacuna successfully converted the penalty after referee James Linnington had pointed to the spot.

Carlos Corberan’s team began to lose control of the game after that, and the hosts went on to win all three points on the strength of goals from Dion Sanderson and Gary Gardner.

How has Dermot Gallagher responded to the situation?

After the game, Corberan was unable to contain his rage at the decision as he criticized the referee and even claimed that Albion faced more than 11 players that night at St. Andrew’s.

On Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, veteran Premier League official Gallagher discussed the event and said he didn’t think it should have been ruled a penalty.

Stephen (Warnock) and I discussed this earlier, and there are plenty of hints. The fact that only one Birmingham player asks for anything—a corner—provides the key.

I initially believed the referee had awarded a goal kick when he pointed because I believe he slipped. I get the goal kick when the Birmingham player slips, Kipre slides into him, and I get the ball with one foot.

How serious was this setback for West Brom?

Fans of Albion won’t find solace in hearing this because the game is over and they lost, and there’s no doubting that it was a highly unexpected choice.

The defender appeared to have won the ball as it was being shown live, but replays revealed that Miyoshi had actually received it.

Consequently, the rage was understandable, but it shouldn’t overshadow the reality that Albion fell short.

While you can understand how it may knock the players quickly, the squad should have had a better mentality to rebound from an unfair judgment against them. After all, the penalty was merely an equalizer, and there was still a lot of football to play.

For West Brom, what comes next?

Albion’s winning streak came to an end with the defeat, and it’s a shame that it happened during the break because it prevents them from immediately correcting their mistakes.

Overall though, Corberan’s team is in a good spot at this early point, but they will be aware that they need to improve over the upcoming weeks and months if they are to continue a real push for the top six, which has to be the goal.

On October 21, Plymouth will visit The Hawthorns as Albion resumes play.