FERNANDO’S HEADED DOUBLE SNATCHE CLARETS’ PENALTY SHOCKER RUFFLES A
ZACH CLOUGH netted twice to help edge Nottingham Forest away from the Championship relegation battle – and dent Brighton’s bid for promotion.
The midfielder struck on the hour and deep into stoppage time to earn Gary Brazil’s side a valuable three points as Chris Hughton’s Seagulls suffered a second consecutive league defeat for the first time since September.
But Brighton were furious Forest’s first goal was allowed to stand in the 60th minute when Britt Assombalonga attempted to get the final touch to Clough’s goal-bound shot.
The visitors felt that Assombalonga had made contact – from a clearly offside position – but the goal was given.
Hughton, who admitted his side were well short of their best, said: “I’ve seen it again and the player looks offside.
“Whether the referee knew if Assombalonga had touched the ball or not, I am not so sure. He must have been made aware of it.
“But he looked offside and that goal certainly changed the course of the game.
Forest boss Brazil said: “It was a goal. It went into the top corner and we’ve had a lot of goals go into the top corner against us lately.
“We have been hurt a lot ourselves in games, in critical moments.”
The hosts made sure of victory in the 90th minute – but not without some help from Brighton.
Seagulls keeper David Stockdale made a hash of things as he looked to deal with a back pass but only managed to flick the ball to Ben Osborn, who slotted into an empty net.
That was not the end of the scoring, though, as Lewis Dunk felled Forest substitute Ben Brereton to concede a 96th-minute penalty which Clough duly converted.
Forest have now hit the magical 40-point mark and move up to 18th in the table and Brazil said: “In the first half we got a real grip of the game and then we pushed on.
“I’m chuffed to bits for the players and the staff but particularly for the fans who stuck with us throughout.”
Fernando Llorente was the Swansea hero as his stoppage-time winner lifted Clement’s side five points clear of the relegation zone.
But the game’s main talking point centred on the 20th-minute penalty referee Anthony Taylor awarded Burnley – even though television replays showed it was Clarets striker Sam Vokes who had handled the ball.
Swans head coach Clement said: “I spoke to the referee at half-time and he said he made an honest decision.
“I don’t think it would be any other way. It was clearly a mistake.
“I realised 30 seconds after the incident what had happened. Someone from the backroom staff saw it on TV and told me what happened.”
Asked whether video technology should be introduced for such incidents, Clement said: “I’d 100 per cent welcome it. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long, it’s been spoken about for years and years.
“I feel for referees. I referee in training and sometimes I guess and sometimes I go off the reaction of the players.
“What is bizarre is the referee, the assistants and fourth official are the only people in the stadium who do not have the help they need.
“The media have it, technical staff can get it, fans have it on their mobile devices. The only one who doesn’t get the help is the one who needs it the most.”
In a seesaw game, Spain striker Llorente gave Swansea a 12th-minute lead with a header before Andre Gray’s controversial leveller from the spot. The Burnley striker then fired them ahead just after the hour mark but Martin Olsson (right) equalised before Llorente struck for the 11th time this season deep in stoppage time.
“I’m not sure there is a better player in Europe at attacking crosses and I’ve worked with s ome good ones,” s aid Clement.
“That’s some key goals Fernando has come up with now. There was the header against Liverpool and now this one.
“He has a hand in goals too, he has put in some great assists.
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