BRAM CHOKER
Ref’s horror howler cost us win
STEVE BRUCE slammed referee Thomas Bramall for two controversial calls that could get him sacked.
West Brom boss Bruce was left fuming when Sam Byram’s Norwich equaliser was not ruled out for handball.
And he was adamant Bramall had already blundered by failing to award a penalty at 1-0 when John Swift was barged over.
The result left the Baggies firmly in the relegation picture going into the international break – a time when many clubs axe struggling managers.
Bruce said: “I know it’s a hard job but big decisions have cost us and if I don’t win games I get my head chopped off.
“The big decisions they need to get right and we had two against us – their goal and the penalty.”
Bruce must have felt his luck was in when Norwich were caught flat-footed for Dara O’Shea to head home in the ninth minute.
Swift swung a free-kick to the back post where the defender, in acres of space, planted a downward header past keeper Tim Krul.
Norwich, who stay second, were fortunate that Albion were not awarded a penalty a few minutes later.
Kenny McLean gave the ball away in his own half and Grant Hanley’s attempt to intervene saw Swift barged over in the box.
Bramall decided it was no spot-kick however, to the disbelief of Baggies on the pitch and on the bench.
Norwich boss Dean Smith was convinced it had been the correct call however.
He said: “It’s not a penalty. If it’s a penalty it should have been a free-kick that led to it for the same thing so it’s consistency from the referee, well done.”
The Baggies continued to keep Norwich quiet for huge spells, although home fans
West Brom were quick to accuse them of time-wasting. But fortune deserted Bruce and Co in the 68th minute when Byram was able to celebrate his first goal since December 2015, when he was at Leeds.
Not that he knew much about it as Teemu Pukki’s shot from the edge of the box hit his body to deceive David Button.
Albion were convinced the left-back had used an arm to make the fateful deflection – and their protests convinced Bramall to consult assistant Matthew Wilkes.
Again Smith believed the official had got it right by deciding to give it.
He said: “I’m led to believe that if it’s T-shirt – if it hits the top of the arm – then it’s okay, so it looks like a good goal."