Nuno: Refs out to relegate us
NUNO Espirito Santo launched an incredible attack on the state of Premier League refereeing, even asking if there is a conspiracy to ensure Nottingham Forest are relegated this season.
Brighton should have finished with 10 men after Jakub Moder sunk his studs into the ankle of Neco Williams in the second half. Referee Michael Salisbury only showed a yellow card, however, with VAR Craig Pawson failing to correct his colleague’s error.
Andrew Omobamidele’s own goal made sure Brighton secured the win. It left Forest wallowing in 17th as manager Espirito Santo channelled his inner Mario Balotelli in the aftermath, asking ‘why always us?’ and telling Howard Webb and the PGMOL to forget their apologies.
‘It is a red card,’ he said. ‘It is a serious mistake. It is week after week. We are in a tough position and we need respect. Period. Everybody is aware of the mistakes. I don’t know how many. I’m trying to be honest and trying to keep myself calm and be respectful, but it is enough.’
In a separate interview at the Amex Stadium, Espirito Santo asked: ‘What is going on? Someone wants to put us down.’
One of the most high-profile mistakes felt by Forest came the previous week when Liverpool were incorrectly awarded a drop-ball, only to go on to score a stoppage-time winner at the City Ground.
Espirito Santo continued: ‘Please someone tell me what is going on, because why always us? What is going on?
‘I arrived in England seven years ago. The referees were amazing. I understand that suddenly they lost a group of referees who were very strong, very experienced. Now there are new referees coming who need time and sympathy to become better, but we don’t have time.
‘What is going on? Why always us? Can someone in this room tell me they have a different view? It is so obvious, isn’t it? Now you know what is going to happen. In two days, they will apologise.’ If Luton can beat Bournemouth on Wednesday, Forest will fall into the Premier League’s drop zone.
Yet regardless of the refereeing, Espirito Santo’s side cannot hide from the fact they did not create nearly enough chances here.
It was a little like watching Leicester last season — a team of talented players but lacking any chemistry. Forest hardly troubled a Brighton team still fragile from their 4-0 battering by Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.
‘I’m very happy with the reaction,’ manager Roberto De Zerbi said before adding on the reverse fixture against Roma: ‘We have to play a serious game and then we will see.’
Brighton dominated the first half, creating chances through Simon Adingra and Carlos Baleba, while the delivery of Pascal Gross at set-pieces posed problems. It was from one of those that they scored the game’s only goal in the 29th minute.
Gross hoped he had registered his 11th Premier League assist of the season, but unfortunately the statisticians will not count this one because his cross led to an Omobamidele own goal. It was in the second half when Forest finally showed some attacking intent.
They needed some help from Salisbury and Pawson in the 66th minute when Moder lunged in on Williams.
Every time you watched it you winced, but Moder got away with it — prompting Espirito Santo to snap at the decisions he insists are damaging his team’s chances of staying up.