‘Clear red card’ – Fulham boss fumes at Bournemouth defender escaping dismissal
Fulham boss Marco Silva was furious that Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi avoided a red card in their 1-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night.
Antoine Semenyo’s goal after just 53 seconds was the only goal of the game as the west Londoners were unable to stamp their authority in a push for a European spot.
The Whites wanted Senesi sent off after he was only shown a yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Joachim Andersen just before the break, but a quick VAR review agreed with the decision of referee Michael Oliver.
“For me it’s a clear red card,” Silva told the BBC. “VAR should have called the referee to review that moment.
“The same last weekend, we should have had a penalty, the referee didn’t see it and neither did VAR.
“It’s difficult to accept, we have been really unlucky with these kind of decisions from the officials and VAR in recent weeks.
“The fourth official was confused throughout the game, in all circumstances.”
Silva’s side slipped down to ninth, with Bournemouth leapfrogging them, in the race for midweek European football next season.
“We did enough to earn a point,” said the former Hull and Everton boss. “We made it difficult for ourselves at the start of the game.
“We started really badly, we have to take the responsibility for that as we need to start the game with the right intensity, quality and decision-making that is necessary at this level.
“The team reacted as it should. We created chances, we pushed them back, the second half we controlled the game.”
Silva’s side host arch-rivals Chelsea on Sunday and will be looking to close the gap to the Blues, who are sixth and six points above them.
“In the final third we need to be more aggressive, make better decisions,” he said.
“Today was a moment to make a big step forward, you have to do it because it could be a decisive moment. But it’s not the end, there are six games left.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
