Utaka claims Gallas admission

Pompey forward 'shocked' not to see defender sent off

By James Dall   Last updated: 24th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Utaka claims Gallas admission

Utaka: Stunned by call

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Portsmouth forward John Utaka was 'shocked' not to see Arsenal's William Gallas sent off at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Gallas was adjudged not to have fouled Utaka in the second half of Pompey's 4-1 loss when the Frenchman appeared to fell his opponent, who was clean through on goal.

Pompey boss Paul Hart was left aghast by referee Steve Bennett's decision, and now Utaka has claimed Gallas, who scored Arsenal's third goal, conceded he did foul the Nigerian.

Utaka said in The Sun: "I asked Gallas and he said to me it was a foul. What can you say to that? It's like everything is going against us.

"He was smiling, he knew it was a foul but it wasn't his decision. It could have been 2-2, the game could have gone either way, but he then scored at the other end.

"It was a foul because he pulled me from behind after I ran past him - he pulled me back. It was unfortunate the linesman didn't raise his flag.

"I was shocked because on a good day it would have been given. We were unlucky and nothing was given."

Replays have since suggested that Utaka actually tripped over his own legs when bursting through at Manuel Almunia's goal with the scoreline at 2-1.

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