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Premier League | Gameweek 6

Sep 23, 2023 at 3pm UK

Kenilworth Road Stadium

Luton
1 - 1
Wolves

Morris (65' pen.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Neto (50')
Gomes (45+1'), Lemina (90+6')
Bellegarde (39')

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil baffled by Luton Town penalty decision

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 September 2023

Wolves boss O'Neil baffled by Luton penalty decision

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil admits that he was left confused over the decision to award Luton Town a penalty in their 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.

Head coach Gary O'Neil has admitted that he was left disappointed with the decision to award a penalty against Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1-1 draw with Luton Town.

Wolves went into the Premier League fixture at Kenilworth Road having collected just three points from a possible 15, increasing the need for a win against the Hatters.

However, despite going down to 10 men when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was sent off for violent conduct in the first half, Wolves went ahead through Pedro Neto shortly after the interval.

The talking point came later in the second period, with Joao Gomes being adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area despite it having deflected off his leg.

While the Brazilian's arm was in an unnatural position, the ball only made connection due to the unfortunate deflection when he made an attempt to block the ball.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes concedes a penalty against Luton Town on September 23, 2023. © Reuters

Both the on-field referee and VAR were in agreement that a spot kick should be awarded, with Carlton Morris converting from 12 yards to earn Luton a point that they deserved.

Nevertheless, the general consensus is that Wolves were harshly done by, an opinion shared by O'Neil who has already received one apology from referees' chief Howard Webb this season.

Speaking to BBC Sport, O'Neil said: "I can't get my head around the penalty. I have a lot of experience, I've suffered constant negative ones - I was told it wasn't a penalty last season in Bournemouth's game with Brentford last season on [Mathias] Jensen because it hit his leg and then his hand.

"I was convinced it wasn't going to be a penalty, it's never a penalty. If that's a penalty we're in a really bad place.

"The fact it hits his leg and bounces onto his arm is completely different."

O'Neil agreed with the decision to send off Bellegarde, who reacted to leaving a tangle of legs with Tom Lockyer by kicking out at the Luton defender.

Wolves remain in 15th position in the top-flight standings, while Luton stay at the bottom despite securing their first point since promotion from the Championship.