Ex-Sunderland striker says Middlesbrough should have been awarded a penalty against Bristol City

Boro were beaten 3-1 by the Robins on Saturday afternoon after two goals from Nahki Wells, either side of a Jamie Paterson strike.

The hosts netted a late consolation through Britt Assombalonga, yet the game could have been different if Boro had been awarded a first-half penalty at 1-0.

Marvin Johnson’s cross appeared to hit Paterson’s arm five minutes before half-time, yet referee Darren England waved away the appeals.

From the resulting corner, City charged forward on the counter attack before Paterson scored his side’s second goal.

Yet Phillips, who appeared as a pundit on the EFL’s highlights show on Quest, felt Boro were hard done by.

"I’m giving a penalty, in the Premier League that’s a penalty all day long,” said Phillips when discussing Paterson’s handball.

"His hand is in an unnatural position and he stops the ball coming across, it’s a stonewall penalty.

"Ironically from the corner they go up the other end on the counter attack, it’s a great ball from (Jack) Hunt to Andi Weimann, who drives at the defence.

“He gives it to Paterson and he’s got no right really to score from this angle but a little shimmy to the side and wallop, that’s an outstanding finish.

"It goes past the keeper without him even seeing it and that’s a well-deserved win for Bristol City.”

Phillips also picked out City’s attacking trio of Wells, Paterson and Famara Diedhiou who caused Boro problems all afternoon.

When discussing Wells’ sixth-minute opener, which was assisted by Weimann, Phillips added: “The three offensive players, Andi Weimann had a hand in all three goals today, you can’t miss him with his bright blond hair.

"He sets up Nahki Wells for the first goal, he knows what he’s doing, there’s no backlift and it’s executed to perfection. That is a top-draw finish.”

Boro will be hoping for a response when they travel to Reading on Tuesday (6pm kick-off).