Charlton boss fumes over penalty 'game-changer' at Wigan Athletic

Lee BowyerLee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer felt his Charlton Athletic side were robbed of a clear penalty in Wigan Athletic's 2-0 victory at the DW Stadium.

A Chey Dunkley goal in either half was enough to deliver the points to Wigan, who Bowyer felt were deserved winners on the balance of the 90 minutes.

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But the Addicks boss also believes things could have been different had referee Andy Davies - who didn't exactly endear himself to the home side - pointed to the spot at a crucial time in the game.

"Naby Sarr ran off their defender, and he blatantly pulled him back," Bowyer opined.

"It's a blatant penalty, the referee's looking straight at it, and I don't know why he doesn't give it.

"That was at 1-0, and the game changes then.

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"But that's only a small detail in the 90 minutes, and we didn't do enough to win the game.

"Disappointing is probably an understatement.

"That's the worst we've played since I've been in charge - certainly the first 45 minutes anyway.

"We were so bad, we couldn't put three passes together.

"That just ain't us, and to lose the game on two set-pieces - which just ain't us - is hard to take.

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"We normally pride ourselves on our set-pieces, but their centre-half scores a volley from inside the six-yard box, which shouldn't be possible.

"Then he has a free header from inside the six-yard box, which shouldn't be possible.

"It just wasn't good enough from start to finish, and I'm struggling to find any sort of positives."

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It was the second defeat in a row for Charlton, who'd started the season like a house on fire.

"This is a tough league," acknowledged Bowyer.

"We're going to go to places like Wigan, and it's going to be tough.

"Wigan are a good team. Every team has strengths in this league - and also weaknesses.

"You have to earn the right to play and to win games - and today we didn't."