Premier League referees’ boss Jon Moss apologised to Gary O’Neil and advised him Wolves had been denied a “blatant” stoppage-time penalty of their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Previous Trafford, in line with the Wolves boss.
United’s debutant goalkeeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic deep into time added on, however Simon Hooper didn’t react and VAR Michael Salisbury deemed there was no foul, with an incredulous O’Neil as a substitute booked for his response.
O’Neil mentioned after the match he although Onana was making an attempt to take Kalajdzic’s head off, after which revealed he had obtained an instantly apology from Moss.
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 14, 2023
“Having simply spoken to Jon Moss, honest sufficient he got here straight out and mentioned it was a blatant penalty and it ought to have been given,” O’Neil mentioned.
“I typically really feel unhealthy. I’ve spent plenty of my day with him making an attempt to grasp the brand new tips and not get myself booked which I’ve failed in, however honest play to Jon in popping out.
“He mentioned it was clear and apparent and he can’t imagine the on-field referee didn’t give it and he can’t imagine VAR didn’t intervene. It’s most likely made me really feel worse to be sincere as a result of as soon as you understand you’re proper you are feeling worse about leaving with nothing.”
United boss Erik ten Hag tried to minimize the incident, however he was largely alone in pondering the officers obtained the choice proper.
“When VAR checked out it and determined to not give it in fact we’re happy,” the Dutchman mentioned. “It’s concerning the referee and the VAR. I believe the 2 gamers come collectively and Andre didn’t intervene with the motion from them as a result of first was the contact on the ball after which got here Andre.”
The controversial determination was not the one factor that left the impression United had been fortunate to take three factors from their opening Premier League match, with Raphael Varane’s 76th-minute header decisive in a laboured efficiency from the hosts.
With O’Neil only some days into his tenure, Wolves impressed with their attacking intent. They registered 23 makes an attempt at objective, probably the most for any visiting crew at Previous Trafford since Chelsea had 25 in November 2005, one other match that led to a 1-0 win for United.
Scoring targets was an all-too-familiar drawback for Wolves final time period however O’Neil was inspired by what he noticed.
“Large credit score to the lads,” O’Neil mentioned. “There’s been some negativity surrounding the place however they’ve dedicated to what we requested of them and gone toe to toe with a high aspect at a tough place to return and so they’re disenchanted.
“For the quantity of photographs we’ve had and the anticipated targets, we deserved no less than a degree…
“Larger image stuff and the place we wish to take the group, tonight is an enormous step 4 days in. Coming to a spot like this it may have gone very otherwise.”
United struggled to seek out any movement and had been second finest within the second half till Aaron Wan-Bissaka latched on to a dinked ball from Bruno Fernandes, and lifted the ball over for Varane to nod house.
“It was a tricky sport,” Ten Hag mentioned. “I believe we will do significantly better on the ball. We proved that final season and in addition in pre-season however the pre-season shouldn’t be the season and when the league begins opponents are extra aggressive.
“Our decision-making may have been higher and weren’t aggressive sufficient from that perspective, however there are plenty of positives to take. We fought for our lives and we survived with three factors so properly executed.”
