John Eustace’s verdict on Blackburn Rovers disallowed goals.
John Eustace felt Blackburn Rovers’ disallowed goals against Ipswich Town should have stood.
Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park with Connor Chaplin’s early strike proving decisive. That leaves the team still three points above the relegation zone but dropping to 19th after results earlier in the day.
Joe Rankin-Costello thought he’d equaliser in the first half but Sam Szmodics was judged to have interfered with the goalkeeper’s eyeline from an offside position in the first half.
In the second, Andrew Moran also had the ball in the net but a foul was given for Scott Wharton’s challenge on Vaclav Hladky despite the referee initially delaying any blow on the whistle.
Eustace felt both decisions were incorrect and Rovers’ goals should have stood.
“I think we have been hard done by,” Eustace said.
“I thought the referee had a fantastic view of the goal from Joe. Sammie wasn’t in front of the goalkeeper so I thought it was very disappointing that we didn’t get that goal.
“I thought Scott’s header was a fair challenge on the goalkeeper as well. The offside was very, very tight, watching that back.
“I don’t think it was a foul. I think it was an attempt for the ball and the referee was late with the whistle. I don’t think he thought it was a foul but he got some information from somewhere else. I thought it was a fair challenge.”
Rovers created enough chances in the second half to feel they should’ve taken a point. If they had been more clinical or if decisions had gone more favourably, they’d have earned a valuable point against the Championship’s new leaders.
“I am frustrated but very proud as well, the effort of the group was outstanding,” Eustace said on the performance.
“After the week we’ve had with injuries and some sickness in the camp as well, to have possibly four starters out of the group, I thought the players who came in and took their places, their effort was outstanding.
“We went up against a very good team and we played very, very well. We are disappointed not to get anything from the game.
