‘Laughable’: Sky Sports pundit’s intriguing verdict over key moment in Preston North End triumph over Portsmouth
Preston North End claimed a 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.
Jordan Storey was lucky to avoid a red card as well as giving away a penalty in Saturday’s triumph over Portsmouth.
The Lilywhites returned to winning ways at Deepdale, with Alfie Devine netting the only goal as Paul Heckingbottom’s side closed the gap on the play-offs.
But the victory didn’t come without its controversy, though, with referee Adam Herczeg at the centre of the drama.
However, the official dismissed the strong penalty appeals from the visitors and instead signalled for a goal-kick for PNE.
That moment has come under the spotlight on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch segment, with former striker Jay Bothroyd and ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher both in agreement Herczeg and his team got the decision wrong at Deepdale.
Indeed, Bothroyd was adamant a penalty and a red card should’ve been awarded to Pompey and was left perplexed by the referee’s final outcome.
Sky Sports pundit’s forceful verdict on key PNE moment
Speaking on Sky Sports on Monday morning, the 43-year-old said: ‘This one, to me, is laughable.
‘First of all, I’m not sure what the linesman is looking at. The linesman can see that, he can look across there and see the defender hasn’t got the ball.
‘The referee thinks he’s got the ball and I’m assuming the linesman thinks he’s got the ball - but if that’s the case, why hasn’t he given a corner?
‘I don’t understand that, but it’s clear that he hasn’t got the ball - it should have been a red card and it should have been a penalty.
‘I don’t understand, I really don’t understand that. It’s confusing.’
Ex-Premier League referee’s call on penalty decision
Gallagher, who officiated more than 370 Premier League matches, was similarly confused by Herczeg’s decision and - despite offering a verdict from a referee’s point of view - still believed the man in the middle got the outcome wrong.
He added: ‘All I can think is he sees the trajectory of the ball and thinks he’s got it.
‘But my learned friend (Bothroyd) makes a really good point - if the defender got the ball it shouldn’t be a goal kick.’
That incident sprung the game into life, with Devine netting the only goal of the game just 10 minutes later.
Despite late pressure from Portsmouth, Heckingbottom’s men were able to hold on and pick up their first win in four matches.
The triumph moves the Lilywhites back into touching distance of the play-offs and are level on points with sicth-placed Wrexham.