Keith Hackett Exclusive: Bobby Thomas’ Coventry winner v QPR wrongly allowed
Coventry defender Bobby Thomas “clearly pushed” QPR defender Steve Cook as he scored his team’s match-winner, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that QPR have every right to feel “aggrieved” that the goal was allowed to stand.
Going into Tuesday (11 February) night’s game, both teams were on 41 points, looking to make a late-season push for a place in the Championship play-offs.
However, after a quiet game with few talking points, it was Thomas’ goal that gave Frank Lampard’s side all three points.
Lampard had previously apologised for a Coventry January transfer move, but his side were able to take all three points against QPR.
Keith Hackett gives verdict on Bobby Thomas push in late-winner for Coventry
Following a corner from Jack Rudoni, Thomas rose highest to head home, past QPR goalkeeper Paul Nardi in the 94th minute.
The goal unsurprisingly caused a huge celebration from the Sky Blues players and fans, as they took one step closer to the play-off places in the Championship table.
Coventry are now only one point behind Blackburn, who sit sixth in the table, and after being backed by Chelsea fans to succeed, Lampard has been a brilliant hire by Coventry.
However, the QPR players appealed to referee William James Finnie that Cook had been pushed, to no avail.
When asked by Football Insider for his verdict, former PGMOL chief Hackett, said: “QPR have every right to feel aggrieved that this goal was allowed to stand.
“As the ball floated into the penalty area the goal scorer clearly pushed his opponent to the ground to allow him a clear uncontested header into the goal.”
Matt Grimes was a late addition to Coventry in the winter transfer window, and the former Swansea man played a key role in dominating the midfield against QPR.
Goalkeeper Paul Nardi can have no complaints according to Keith Hackett
Despite the appeals from QPR players being justified on behalf of Cook, any complaints from ‘keeper Nardi were unjustified.
The Frenchman could be seen with his arms up in the air after the ball hit the back of the net, but there was minimal contact on the former Monaco man.
Hackett told Football Insider this about the blocking on Nardi: “On the goalkeeper – I have witnessed much worse cases of blocking (unfair impeding) going unpunished.
“The referee was not going to rule out the goal on this aspect of the build up to the goal.
“The push is the one by the scorer was the offence that should have been punished.”
Former Chelsea midfielder Harvey Vale joined QPR in January, but was not fit enough to feature against Coventry.