Hackett Exclusive: Luton can feel ‘aggrieved’ over ‘harsh’ Watford penalty award
Luton Town can feel aggrieved by the penalty awarded against them in their 2-0 defeat to local rivals Watford, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski was going for the ball when he brought down Mamadou Doumbia inside the area.
Watford manager Tom Cleverley has come under pressure recently but victory over his team’s local rivals on Sunday (23 February) will have further helped to ease the pressure on him here.
However, there was some controversy about the way in which the Hornets went in front in that game at Vicarage Road.
Thomas Kaminski concedes penalty as Luton slip-up again
The hosts needed little more than ten minutes to take the lead in that game, after Tom Dele-Bashiru fired home from the spot.
That came after defender Mads Andersen had attempted to shepherd a ball forward back to Kaminski inside his own area.
As he did that, Doumbia had managed to position himself between the two Luton players, before going down under the challenge of Kaminski as he slid to claim the ball.
| Championship position | Played | Points |
| 21. Cardiff City | 33 | 33 |
| 22. Plymouth Argyle | 34 | 30 |
| 23. Derby County | 34 | 29 |
| 24. Luton Town | 34 | 28 |
Referee Andrew Kitchen then pointed to the spot, allowing Watford to open the scoring, before Edo Kayembe doubled their lead midway through the first-half.
Consequently it is now eight games without a win for Matt Bloomfield since he left Wycombe to become Luton manager, with his side bottom of the Championship table.
Even so, Hackett does feel that the Hatters can feel somewhat unfortunate about how the first goal they conceded against Watford went against them.
Keith Hackett questions Watford penalty award
Speaking to Football Insider about the decision by Kitchen to point to the spot, the former referee said:
“It’s the actual action of the goalkeeper – is he going for the player, or is he making a genuine attempt for the ball.
“Now he can make a genuine attempt for the ball but in doing so he fouls his opponent, but for me, I think he’s arms are not aimed at bringing the player down.
“I think he’s actually genuinely gone for the ball. I think it’s a harsh call, it’s a harsh penalty kick, I think Luton can feel a bit aggrieved about it.”
That win means Watford remain in touch of the play-off places ahead of their trip to Stoke City on Saturday (1 March).
Luton meanwhile will again be desperately searching for a win when they next host Portsmouth on that same day.