Gary Rowett gives his verdict on Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s controversial equaliser against Fulham

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons it would have been a difficult call by the officials to disallow Jon Dadi Bodavrsson’s equaliser in tonight’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.

The Icelandic international finished from close range when Shaun Hutchinson headed on a Jed Wallace corner to cancel out Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener.

Fulham’s players appealed that there were two players offside when Bodvarsson beat Marek Rodak.

Rowett said: “We started really poorly, which I’m disappointed with, it’s just a little bit of a habit recently of conceding soft goals and I don’t like that.

“We recovered well with the set-piece goal. There was a little bit of controversy around it but it’s really difficult if the linesman doesn’t flag straight away.

“You can’t tell who it comes off. I’ve watched it three times and you can’t tell who the touch came off. I’m sure Scottie [Parker, Fulham boss] will be disappointed that it was given and I’d understand that. But at the same time I’m not sure which way the officials go with it if they aren’t sure.

“It was a really good performance. We responded well. We got the penalty – Woodsy was dictating play for us in midfield. He switched play to Mahlon [Romeo] and he gets the penalty. Unfortunately for once Jed is not his usual accurate self. But that’s going to happen. He’s trying to do everything he can, one or two things didn’t quite come off for him today but he still tried them.

“The first half was a really good performance. To press Fulham as well as we did and disrupt their play as well as we did, to play with composure – to get so many balls in behind and runners in behind – was really encouraging.

“The challenge second half is can you maintain it? And the issue against a side like Fulham is that they are very good at playing around you. Their pressing triggers are always different and they move with a lot of fluidity and freedom – they can all handle the ball technically.

“We probably had a 20-minute spell where we struggled to get out. But, as often happens at the Den, the crowd stayed with us and got behind us – we finished the game really strongly.

“It was an even game in a lot of ways. Fulham had a lot more possession and more control but we had the better chances. Bart was not worked that hard at the other end. We’re a little disappointed with a draw but certainly a much more positive performance.”