Michael Carrick unhappy with referee over Chuba Akpom’s penalty decision in Boro’s Burnley defeat

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has expressed his displeasure with the referee’s decision not to award a penalty kick to his side following a foul on Chuba Akpom during their clash against Burnley on Saturday.

Burnley carved out a 3-1 win over Boro at the Turf Moor, to end the visitors’ three-match winning streak that stretched back to November.

That final result could have turned out differently, though, as Middlesbrough opened the scoring through Duncan Watmore and had a huge penalty shout moments before Burnley equalised.

Super Eagles hopeful Akpom went down under a challenge from Taylor Harewood-Bellis on the edge of the penalty area but referee David Webb ignored calls for a penalty or, at the very least, a free-kick.

Burnley’s Manuel Benson drew the home side levelled within a couple of minutes of that incident and Carrick insists it was a turning point of the encounter.

At the post-match press conference, Carrick said: “We had a good penalty shout. We go 1-0 up, and I just think the Chuba one on the edge of the box is such a big moment.

“For me, if you’re in control of the ball and you’re goal side of the defender, and you’re protecting it as you’re told to as a kid, then if there’s contact and you both fall over, I just don’t see how you don’t give a free-kick or a penalty. I was told there was minimal contact, but for me, I just don’t understand how that’s not a penalty.

“Whether it’s a penalty or not, in terms of where it is on the pitch, is very close. But even if it’s a free-kick, it’s in a great position.

“It’s more the fact that there was contact – I’ve been told there was contact and the officials knew that – then in that position, I just don’t understand how they don’t then give the decision.”

Akpom has been one of Boro’s best players this term, with the 27-year-old striker registering nine goals and one assist in 16 Championship matches.

The Nigeria-eligible forward won the Championship’s Fans’ Player of the Month award for November.