'Unfair': Alan Pace and JJ Watt weigh in on Burnley v Brentford controversy
Alan Pace has described Burnley’s controversial and action-packed last-gasp defeat to Brentford as "unfair”.
Scott Parker’s side came from three goals down to level today’s game at 3-3 following a remarkable comeback.
The Clarets even threatened to go one better, appearing to go 4-3 up before Zian Flemming’s second of the game was ruled out for an offside from Jaidon Anthony during the build-up.
If one team was going to win the game late on, it looked as though it would be Burnley – but Mikkel Damsgaard broke their hearts at the death when he steered home what proved to be Brentford’s winner.
But there was still time for further drama, with Burnley having another goal ruled out, this time from substitute Ashley Barnes.
The experienced striker was harshly penalised for a handball as he controlled a ball in the box before slamming home, despite no replays conclusively showing the ball hit his arm.
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To make matters worse, the decision took a good five or six minutes, prompting heavy boos at the full-time whistle as referee Sam Barrott and his fellow officials left the field of play.
Pace, meanwhile, addressed the controversy while also thanking the home faithful for their support.
"Clarets. It was a very disappointing result today but I am so grateful for the support you showed the team,” he penned on X.
"It felt very unfair to not even earn a point today, but I think everyone inside Turf Moor saw the heart, courage and character the team showed.
"To come back the way we did, to fight for every ball, and to keep believing until the final whistle — that was a performance full of pride.
"We move forward together. Always. UTC.”
Watt, meanwhile, wrote his own message on X within seconds of the full-time whistle – making an obvious reference to Burnley’s last-gasp equaliser being harshly disallowed.
“If it takes 10 minutes, it’s not clear and obvious…,” he said.
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