Toure - It was no penalty

Ivory Coast defender finds defeat 'hard to accept' after decision

By Robin Hackett   Last updated: 9th April 2008

liverpool ryan babel kolo toure champions league arsenal penalty

Toure: Penalty frustration

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Kolo Toure has insisted he did not foul Ryan Babel to give away the late penalty that ended Arsenal's UEFA Champions League dream this season.

After taking the lead through Abou Diaby, Arsenal then went 2-1 down after goals from Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres.

But The Gunners looked to have stolen a late victory at Anfield on away goals when Emmanuel Adebayor turned the ball into the goal six minutes from time after excellent work from Theo Walcott.

However, Arsenal's hopes were dashed just one minute later when Toure was controversially adjudged to have brought down Babel in the area, leaving Steven Gerrard to convert the penalty.

And while Babel added another late on to make it 4-2, Toure believes the crucial penalty decision was unjust.

"We came back into it and then Liverpool got a penalty, which was really hard to accept," he said.

"The referee gave the foul against me, but I just moved away from him [Babel] and I think Cesc [Fabregas] caught his hand maybe, which was outside the area anyway - but that is the game and the referee has given the penalty. What can you do?

"We just need to think about the Premiership now and see how far we can go."