BRENTFORD
JONATHAN WOODGATE called for VAR in the Championship after his dream day ended up being a nightmare.
The former England defender took charge of his first home league game as boss of boyhood club Middlesbrough to realise a lifetime ambition.
But it was ruined as referee Stephen Martin ruled out two Ashley Fletcher efforts – and striker Ollie Watkins’ 54th-minute goal proved the clincher for Brentford.
Boro boss Woodgate (below) said: “There were two mistakes from the linesman. Ashley was two yards onside – you can take it if it’s an inch, but two yards.
“And he gives a handball. VAR is in the Premier League, why isn’t it in the Championship? Is the Premier League more special than the Championship? Not in my eyes. This is a league we want to get out of and then big decisions don’t go your way. “So I’m not happy about it. I’ll speak to the referee. On the plus side, I thought my players were absolutely outstanding.”
Brentford lost key players this summer – among them striker Neal Maupay, who got 28 goals last season before moving to Br i g hton for £20million.
Watkins, who hit 12 last term and drew interest from Crystal Palace, is looking to take on Maupay’s mantle after agreeing a new deal until at least 2023. Boss Thomas Frank said: “I have big belief in Ollie.
“It was fantastic, big news for all Bees fans that we managed to sign the most promising player in the league this week and he scored a classic number nine goal.
“We had to sell the best number nine in the league when Neal left – and now the number nine has scored.”
The drama began in the 21st minute. Bees keeper David Raya found himself stranded when Boro won a corner that Marvin Johnson quickly chipped in.
Raya could only flap at it and Fletcher bundled the ball in. After consulting his assistant, however, Martin gave handball.
Fletcher was frustrated again on 35 minutes when he lifted the ball over Raya, but was denied by an offside flag.
Three minutes from the break, Boro striker Britt Assombalonga’s burst of pace took him towards the near post, which he hit with a shot that spun away.
But Brentford took control after the break. Boro keeper Darren Randolph pulled off a flying save from Mathias Jensen. But when Sergi Canos beat Daniel Ayala on the right to deliver the ball across goal, unmarked Watkins finished. MIDDLESBRO BRENTFORD 5 ........ Shots on Target ......... 2 7 ........ Shots off Target .........5 7 ................Corners ................. 3 10................. Fouls .................. 17 5 ............... Offsides ..................1 75.2 .. Passing Success .... 71.5 427....... Total Passes ........ 379 53.2........Possession ........46.8 51.5 .. Territorial Adv%...48.5