Keane slams Styles

Sunderland boss bemoans penalty call

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 2nd February 2008

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Sunderland manager Roy Keane has slammed referee Rob Styles in the wake of his side's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard handed Liverpool the victory and moved the Reds to within one point of Merseyside rivals Everton in fourth place.

Keane, though, feels Sunderland were denied a penalty when the score was still only 2-0 and thinks Styles shied away from the decision.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher appeared to handle an effort from Daryl Murphy inside the 18-yard area and Keane believes Styles opted not to award the penalty because of his previous record at Anfield.

Styles caused controversy when he adjudged Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan to have fouled Chelsea winger Flourent Malouda to allow Frank Lampard the opportunity to earn the Blues a 1-1 draw at Anfield in August.

Uproar

And Keane suspects the uproar caused by Styles decision earlier in the season cost his side a possible lifeline.

"We were never going to get a penalty today, never," said Keane.

"Rob was referee here when he gave Chelsea a penalty against Liverpool earlier in the season and he was demoted after that game.

"Carragher lifted his hand above his head and we have been told last week when we had Howard Webb (another Premier League referee) at our training ground that such an incident would be a penalty.

"Rob gave a penalty against us at Blackburn this season against Danny Higginbotham when he did just the same thing. As I said, we were never going to get a penalty here."