Bruce bemoans match officials

Latics leave Anfield with nothing

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 18th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce bemoans match officials

Bruce: Disappointed

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Wigan boss Steve Bruce felt referee Alan Wiley did his side no favours during their 3-2 defeat at Liverpool.

The Latics led 2-1 heading into the interval at Anfield, with Amr Zaki bagging a brace either side of a Dirk Kuyt equaliser.

However, the Reds hit back after the break, with Albert Riera and another goal from Kuyt handing the hosts all three points.

The turning point of the game, which sparked Liverpool's revival, came on 75 minutes as Antonio Valencia was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

A first caution for encroachment at a free-kick was quickly followed by a second for a clumsy challenge on Xabi Alonso.

Bruce, though, feels the winger was harshly treated and believes neither incident was worthy of punishment.

Dubious

"We are devastated because the big turning point in the game, in my opinion, the referee has got wrong," he told Sky Sports.

"The first one is not a booking, Alonso's teasing him and when he does take it I can't see what Valencia's done wrong.

"And then there's a dubious one where two players are challenging for the ball, but that's what happens with this issue now with leaving the ground - you have to leave the ground for a tackle.

"You're asking your players to compete to get a result. We did it admirably, but we feel the decision of the referee, who I have the hugest respect for, really got it wrong and it has cost us the game.

"It was a huge turning point. It is hard enough with 11 after an international break, but with 10 we found it almost impossible.

"We ran out of gas, but that's understandable considering three or four only got off a plane yesterday morning."

Terrific

Meanwhile, Bruce was once again full of praise for Egyptian front-man Zaki and feels his performance was deserving of more than the Latics were able to take from the game.

"He was terrific again and it's a shame his performance hasn't got something from the game, because I think we thoroughly deserved it," added the Wigan boss.

"The first half in particular we caused Liverpool umpteen problems and we are going to go away really disappointed.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up when you are beaten by the better team, but you need a bit of fairness and respect when you come to Liverpool, you can't just give them every decision."