RONALD KOEMAN WAS unhappy that Arsene Wenger blamed a mistake by referee Mark Clattenburg for Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Everton, claiming that the Gunners boss is using the official as an excuse.
Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League on Tuesday as they surrendered a one-goal lead against an Everton side who had Phil Jagielka sent off in the closing minutes.
Alexis Sanchez’s deflected free-kick had Arsenal on course to leapfrog leaders Chelsea only for Wenger’s team to suffer their first league defeat since the opening weekend of the season.
While he had no issue with Seamus Coleman’s equaliser before the break, the French manager felt the officials missed a touch off Dominic Calvert-Lewin before awarding the corner that led to Ashley Williams’ headed winner in the 86th minute.
Of course it was no corner. You could see it from our side that it was no corner,” Wenger told the media.
“I think we have to live with the wrong decision and it doesn’t explain why we do not head the ball after you know.
I think I’m really disappointed because Clattenburg was in a really good position to see that play and he gave the ball out, and it’s not the first time we’ve been unlucky with decisions this season.
“Overall I don’t want to speak about the referee too much, it’s not my problem.”
However, Everton manager Koeman reacted to Wenger’s post-match comments by claiming his opposite number had a habit of blaming defeats on officials.
‘I’m not surprised at Wenger’s comments. It’s the third time in a row I have won against Arsenal at home, and three times in a row it was about the referee,” he told reporters at the post-match press conference.
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With the population of Ulster not far off that of Leinster’s, it would be a real boost for Irish rugby if they can close that gap, and potentially create another European powerhouse.
@Peter McCarthy: that would be great but the problem isn’t with the size of the population. The problem is that a large portion of the population scorn the game as an “English” sport (even though most of these people fervently support LFC or MUFC), are only interested when Ireland play England and could barely name an Irish player. Rory Best does a great work in the Banbridge area with schools and GAA clubs to successfully bridge (no pun intended) the gap, develop links with the rugby club and bring players in to train and play.
It’s great to see the other provinces starting to produce talent through their academies. Bit Ulster and Munster really starting to develop homegrown youngsters of serious quality. It’s great for the individual provinces and great for Ireland in the long run.
@Kevin: Couldn’t agree more. One of the biggest problems Ireland have is not having enough competition for places given Leinster’s dominance at club level. The more provincial players competing against each other the better it is for Ireland
I just hope that David McCann is allowed to develop, rather than being rushed in too quick and even worse will be the expectation that he might be the replacement 8 when Marcel heads for home.
He may well end up playing there but he needs to grow into the role and not burdened with it.
Could do with one or two other forwards stepping up not the senior squad as I am not sure that they replace Marcel and Carter until the turnstiles start turning a profit again.
@Mark Smith: the guy of the Ulster forum who appears to be well connected, has suggested the deal for a replacement is done and gave the cryptic clue, ‘When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees’.
@Kingshu:
What is your take on it
@Kingshu: Brad Shields from Wasps maybe? Timoney and McCann are better than him.
@Mark Smith: TBH I dont really follow that forum, some who do suggest he is normally spot on, unless a deal falls though etc, and his clues are very cryptic. Current guess is someone from London Irish as the groundshare with Brentford FC Nicknamed “the Bees” or brumbies as sounds like bees and they maybe have played before at Manuka Oval? Rob Valetini of brumbies has played for vikings and they have played at manuka oval, but I can’t see someone just breaking into the Oz team leaving. So in truth I don’t have a clue.
@Kingshu: looking at Rob his contract is up in 2021, I’d be happy with that signing but doubt it. It also appears Faddes will be kept on, can’t afford 3 top NIQ players and he gives experience to young backs. Mathewson hasnt appeared as much as expected as part of IRFU allowing 4th NIQ player was that only 3 would be in a matchday squad, so with Coetzee and Carter playing its either Faddes or Matherson and DMcF has been going with Faddes. Would like to see him kept for another year as Doak comes through. As for Carter contract is up end of this season but don’t know whats happening.
@Kingshu: That sounds like that Australian player that’s nicknamed the honey badger
@Kingshu: Was all for Faddes staying on. Just not sure we can really justify it any longer with all the academy talent coming along.
It was great seeing them backing up the last victory in Dublin. Leinster have to get better now and met the challenge