Wednesday 14 December 2016 23:23, UK
Sean Dyche believes that referee Bobby Madley's decisions were the reason for Burnley's 1-0 defeat at West Ham.
With the cagey affair locked at 0-0 in first-half stoppage time, the Hammers were awarded a penalty, which Mark Noble converted at the second attempt - and that proved to be the winner in a tense affair at London Stadium.
Burnley pressed in the second half but couldn't find an equaliser, as their woes on the road continued, having picked up just one point away from Turf Moor all season.
Dyche agreed that Winston Reid was fouled for the penalty, but felt that Tom Heaton had been impeded in the build-up.
"A game has been decided by the referee," Dyche told Sky Sports. "Tom Heaton is clearly fouled in the run up to their penalty.
"In recent times, I have never not seen those given, because goalkeepers are so well protected these days.
"Unfortunately we cannot get a big decision at the moment. The referee said he didn't see it as a foul, and I said 'it is not 1972'.
"Antonio ducks his head, smashes into the 'keeper, he cannot get a punch on it.
"Even the chance that Sam Vokes has in the second half, the West Ham defender's foot is so high, and if that is in the middle of the pitch the crowd are going mad."
Burnley could still have taken something from the match but for a shocking miss from Vokes, who headed over an empty net from six yards, and a superb save from Darren Randolph to deny Scott Arfield.
"We were better in the second half and that's why I'm so frustrated at the referee's decision," added Dyche.
"Vokesy should score but their defender tried to overhead kick it and he flinches at the last second. If that's in the middle of the pitch that's a foul as well.
"We are disappointed with the outcome but not the performance."
