'It’s more obvious than the one against Norwich': Neil Warnock delivers verdict on Luton's disallowed penalty and Sam Morsy red card

Neil Warnock says Middlesbrough are likely to appeal Sam Morsy’s red card following a 1-0 win over Luton at the Riverside.
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The Boro midfielder was sent off for handball in the 66th minute, after Chuba Akpom had opened the scoring, but the decision looked harsh.

Luton were subsequently awarded a penalty which was disallowed when James Collins slipped and double-kicked the ball, similar to Marcus Tavernier’s spot kick which was ruled out against Norwich earlier this season.

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When asked about Morsy’s sending off, Warnock replied: “We are disappointed and I’m not sure the ref is in a position to give it. Sam has been pulled first of all by the white shirt, then he slips and is on his stomach when it hits his arm. I just don’t see it.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock.

“Luton were appealing for every decision tonight so I think that just swung his decision and when they took the penalty I don't think the ref would have disallowed it.”

It appeared referee Andy Davies was going to award Collins’ penalty, before consulting with linesman Akil Howson.

On the penalty incident, Warnock said: “The linesman was excellent in looking at it and it’s more obvious than the one we had against Norwich, he’d definitely touched it twice.

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“You might say we had a bit of luck but I don’t think we had a bit of luck, we might have won more comfortably.”

On his side’s overall display, Warnock added: “I was disappointed in the first half if I’m honest, we told them what it was going to be about and what a scrap it was going to be.

“I thought they won the scrap in the first half and I told them at half-time, I asked any of them if they had played in the Sunday league, I said because in the second half you have to play in the Sunday league and match their effort and physical side of it.

“We had to get on the front foot, turn them round and get the balls in them channels and I thought we did that in the second half, I thought that was the best part of the game.”

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