Defender surprised referee failed to award hosts first half penalty
By Joe Doyle
Jan 1, 2011 11:30:00 AM
Rio Ferdinand admitted that beating West Bromwich Albion was very hard work for Manchester United, and that they were fortunate to take a slender 2-1 victory from the Hawthorns.
Goals by Wayne Rooney and substitute Javier Hernandez secured the points for the Red Devils, despite James Morrison scoring a first half equalizer for the hosts and Peter Odemwingie missing a penalty that would have been Albion in front.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ferdinand admitted it had been a tough game and was quick to pay tribute to Roberto Di Matteo's side.
"We were made to work very, very hard," he said.
"Credit to West Brom, they played some good football; they’re not scared to pass the ball around and they came at us from all the angles, especially in the first half.
"We gave them a few opportunities in the first half, they probably should have had a penalty, I gave away a penalty, as well, but that’s the way it goes.
"You’ve got to dig deep in these games; these are the type of games that make up big ground in the league.
"Other teams watching would probably have been thinking we’ll just nick a draw maybe, but to take three points was great for us.
"You’ve got to win games, it’s as simple as that.
"I don’t care how we win. Ideally we’d like to play well, but in these situations when you’re not playing at your best, the most important thing is to get the three points and go back to Manchester happy."
When asked about the penalty incident involving Gary Neville and Graeme Dorrans, Ferdinand stated that he thought it was a penalty, and was wondering what the referee Chris Foy was waiting for.
"Where’s the ref? What’s he doing?" Ferdinand joked.
"I thought: Is the whistle going to his mouth or not?
"Fortunately for us it didn’t, but it’s happened quickly and it’s difficult for referees.
"They’ve got to make decisions in split seconds and it’s hard, but fortunately for us today he didn’t give that.
"But saying that, maybe we should have had a penalty in the second half for handball that wasn’t given."
When asked about the penalty he gave away, Ferdinand was once again unequivocal with his answer, adding: "No, it was a penalty. I probably should have gone over to him a bit earlier, but that happens, and fortunately today he missed it."
Wayne Rooney was on the board with his first goal from open play since March and Ferdinand admitted it would have been a relief for the striker to finally get his name back on the scoresheet.
"It was important that [Rooney] got a goal," he said.
"It’s been well documented by everybody, and I’m sure it played on his mind a little bit, but he’s got his goal now and hopefully he’ll move on now and go on a good run."
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