Jim Goodwin believes the VAR furore following Dundee United’s victory over St Mirren influenced several decisions in the Tangerines’ 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.
A nerveless Bruce Anderson penalty kick deep into injury time cancelled out Sam Dalby’s opener at Tannadice, with referee Steven McLean adjudging substitute Richard Odada to have fouled Bobby Wales following a visit to the monitor.
While placing the call in the “soft” category, the United boss acknowledged the similarity to Marcus Fraser’s kick on Kevin Holt seven days prior, which allowed the Terrors to open the scoring.
“There was a lot made about the penalty we received last weekend for the foul on Kevin Holt and it’s in that kind of bracket, so I can’t complain too much,” said Goodwin.
“But there was a big deal made of that one, so I’m assuming all the same pundits and journalists that said our one was soft will all be in agreement that Kilmarnock’s was very, very soft.”
Goodwin: I was concerned by media fallout
However, he was more irked by VAR Alan Muir failing to recommend an on-field review for a high challenge on Vicko Sevelj by Danny Armstrong.
Goodwin also thought Dalby was punched by Kieran O’Hara as the Killie keeper attempted to fist a deep delivery to safety.
And he has suggested that the days of discourse that followed the three major VAR calls against the Buddies – most of which claiming the Tangerines enjoyed a slice of fortune – was a factor.
“There was a tackle on Sevelj that we were concerned about,” said Goodwin. “He was definitely caught up around the knee area.
“And what I felt was a foul by the goalkeeper on Sam Dalby. Sam is convinced the goalkeeper has punched him in the face and got none of the ball. As well as that, there’s a knee in the back that wipes him out.
“If that (penalty) is given, we go 2-0 up and the game is pretty much put to bed.
“But I was concerned after the amount of media attention our penalty decisions got last week. I was was worried that it would go against us today. Possibly, that was the case.”
Denied by McCrorie
Dalby, fresh from winning Premiership player of the month for November, almost broke the deadlock in the early knockings when an ugly scramble in the box culminated with the on-loan Wrexham man striking the post.
Will Ferry then embarked on a fine surge forward before picking out fellow marauding wing-back Ryan Strain, only for his powerful near-post drive to be well saved by Robby McCrorie.
The Killie keeper was by far the busier of the two custodians in the first period, producing another fine save to deny Emmanuel Adegboyega before tipping a speculative Ferry effort safely over the bar.
Denied by the flag
With United seeking to continue their momentum after the break, Adegboyega – a constant attacking threat despite operating as the right-sided centre-back – fizzed a low shot across the face of goal that was directed inches wide by Louis Moult.
The Ireland U/21 international defender thought he had opened the scoring after nodding home a Strain delivery. However, he was deemed offside due to Moult’s presence.
Kilmarnock’s first serious opportunity came and went when Anderson flashed a powerful header just wide of Jack Walton’s right-hand post.
Anderson swiftly followed that by stinging the palms of Walton with a volley from the edge of the box.
The opener arrives
David Babunski forced Kilmarnock goalkeeper O’Hara – on for the injured McCrorie – into action when his free-kick from 25 yards took a slight deflection on its way.
However, another drive from distance by Babunski created the opener. This time, Dalby was perfectly placed to head home the rebound from O’Hara’s save; the big centre-forward celebrating his 25th birthday in style.
Goodwin added: “I thought we played a lot better today than against St Mirren. We moved the ball quicker from defence into midfield and got some good supply into the strikers.”
A twist in the tale
The fourth official showing nine minutes of additional time afforded the visitors plenty of scope to grab a leveller and, in circumstances eerily like the previous week, they took full advantage.
Odada attempted to kick a loose ball clear in the box and accidentally made contact with Wales.
McLean was told to attend the monitor by Muir and subsequently pointed to the spot. Anderson belied the nerve-shredding circumstances to lash a superb penalty into the top-corner.
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