‘They are two awful decisions’ - West Brom boss Steve Bruce on 4-0 loss to Nottingham Forest

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce critised referee David Webb after his side lost 4-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Easter Monday (18 April).

The home side cruised into a dominant position after West Broms Darnell Furlong had collected a second yellow card in only the 17th minute, following up a foul on Philip Zinckernagel by handling a James Garner shot in the area.

Brennan Johnson converted the penalty and Ryan Yates added another with a 23rd-minute header, before Colback hit a spectacular volley from the tightest of angles, wide on the left.

Sam Surridge completed the scoring in the third minute of added time, as Forest took a firmer grip on their position in the play-off places.

Baggies boss Steve Bruce was not impressed with referee David Webb.

“I’ve seen the penalty incident,” said Bruce. “Furs (Furlong) is on the ground and his head’s looking away at the goal. It hits his arm, yes. You give a penalty, but do you have to show a yellow card? A sending off… then the game evaporates.”

He also felt a throw-in decision should have gone their way in the build-up to the second goal.

He added: “The debacle over the throw-in was ridiculous, the assistant flagged that it was our throw. The ref’s overruled him. Then Forest score from the corner. They are two awful decisions.”

Sub Taylor Gardner-Hickman might have got into more trouble with the referee after lashing the ball into the crowd – for which he received a yellow card.

“He didn’t mean that,” said Bruce. “If the ball has hit someone in the crowd, then we’ll get in touch. He’s a young player who’s as genuine as they come. We will apologise if it’s hit someone.”

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