Watford boss criticises referee for missed punch on Manchester United youngster (From Watford Observer)

Watford boss criticises referee for missed punch on Manchester United youngster

5:37pm Monday 22nd February 2010

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Malky Mackay has criticised referee David Webb for not punishing any Scunthorpe United players after on loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley seemed to be punched in the face - the Scot was also angry about the Irons a last-gasp penalty.

Mackay was furious with Webb following Saturday’s match, when ten-man Watford took a 2-1 lead in the 91st minute only for Gary Hooper to score from the spot with the final kick of the game.

It was a dramatic final ten minutes or so, which started when Cleverley was sent off for a late challenge on Michael O’Connor and subsequently seemed to be struck in the face.

An angry Mackay said: “I will need to look at it again but I think the referee’s card was out very quickly and the next minute there is eight or nine players crowding around Tom Cleverley and there is various contact made to him and I cannot believe the referee has stood back and watched that and then the game goes on.”

He continued: “Tom’s head is in his hands and he has no idea who is hitting him or near him. I see so many bodies around him and I am disappointed with the referee’s decision there.”

At least 15 players became involved in the subsequent melee and it is difficult to see exactly what happened but O’Connor does seem to forceful push his hand in the face of Cleverley.

However Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins is adamant no punches were thrown.

He said: “I have seen the incident, their player deserved to get sent off. Our player has done well, he pushed the player away and their player has come and knocked him on the back of the neck, so don’t make mountains out of a molehill.

“The referee has made the right decision, all be it very quickly. I think the majority of players in there were trying to calm the situation down and pull people away and nobody needs to make an issue of that at all.

“I have seen the incident and I know for sure that no punches were thrown. ”

Adkins also stated he had watched the video footage of the penalty incident which led to Scunthorpe’s equaliser and believes the ball clearly strikes Jay DeMerit’s arm.

However, after the match Mackay took the USA international to see Webb as the centre back had a swollen face where the Watford manager claims Cliff Byrne’s powerful shot hit him.

Mackay said: “That penalty decision wasn’t a bit harsh it was incredible. I took my centre back over to see the ref at the end of the game for a reason, because his face is a mess as his lip has burst and his eye is all blown up because the ball hit him at 100 miles per hour in the face.

“The linesman gave a corner and the referee decides in the last minute, at the home end, to give a penalty. It is incredible.

”Football is all about decisions and it takes experience sometimes to referee at a top level and this is a top level.”

Watford dominated the first half but somehow found themselves 1-0 down to a Hooper goal at half time.

Danny Graham’s first goal in three months equalised for the Hornets before John Eustace thought he had found the winner in the 91st minute, only for Hooper to grab at second at the death.

“I am very disappointed,” Mackay said.

“I think that looking at some decisions in the game and the chances early on in the first half, I think we are unlucky to walk away with only a point.

“We have got to be clinical but when you look at the amount of near misses, it could have been three or four in the first half.”