Manager gets offside
Wolverhampton managernuno Espirito Santo could face punishment for being heavily critical of referee Leemason after a 2-1 loss to Burnley in the English Premier League yesterday. Nunosaid Mason“does not have the quality to whistle a gamein the Premier League” after seeing his team sunk by close-range goals by Burnley strikers Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood. Fabio Silva replied for Wolves with an 89th-minute penalty.
“I just don’t want to see himmore— that’s what I told him,” Nunosaid.
“I hope he doesn’t whistle a gameof ours again because all the gameswehave with Leemason are always the same.
“He cannot control the players, the players are constantly arguing— both teams. With all the other referees, thegameflows.
“There’s dialogue. He’s just not ready to do it.” Nunodidn’tmakereference to a specific incident in the gameat Turf Moor.
“It is not about the crucial mistakes or decisions, it is about thewayhe handles the game,” he said.
“The players get nervous, toomuchvoices, he whistles by the voiceswhensome players are shouting.
“Weare talking about the best competition and clearly he doesn’t have the quality to whistle the game. I’m very disappointed to say this but Iwould not feel right if Ididn’t say it.”
The win extended Burnley’s unbeaten run to four games and saw the team climb out of the relegation zone above Fulham, whodrop into the bottom three, and Brighton into 16th place in the 20-team league.
Barnes leapt high to plant a far-post header through Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio’s legs from close range in the 35th minute to give Burnley the lead in rainy conditions.
Woodalso scored from a couple of metres out, smashing a loose ball into the roof of the net after Ben Mee’s looping header at a free kick struck Wolves defender Rayan Ait Nouri and dropped into the path of thenewzealand striker.
Silva, an 18-year-old striker, converted an 89thminute penalty but Burnley held out for a third win.
■ Twoquick second half goals have fromtammy Abrahamgave Chelsea a 3-nil win over West Ham.
The Bluesmoveupto fifth, one point off the top four, while thehammersremain in 10th. — AP