Thomas Frank claims Brentford only lost at Newcastle because of a decision by referee Craig Pawson.
The Bees had played well before the award of a 64th-minute penalty when goalkeeper Mark Flekken was adjudged to have fouled Anthony Gordon.
The Dutchman had slid as the ball ran out of play and the winger toppled over him. Callum Wilson duly scored the only goal of the game, but Frank was furious.
‘First and foremost, I think we played a very good game. I think everyone knows it’s very difficult to come here,’ he said. ‘The way we performed was very impressive.
‘I think it was an even game where we could have won it. That’s why it’s very frustrating when it’s decided on a decision that I think is wrong.
Thomas Frank criticised the decision to award Newcastle their penalty in Brentford’s defeat
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken was adjudged to have fouled Anthony Gordon on the byline
Callum Wilson stepped up to convert the spot-kick and hand the hosts all three points
‘Normally, I never complain about penalties. This time, I think it was a wrong decision. It was an on-field decision, if they hadn’t reffed it, the VAR wouldn’t have overturned that one.
‘We got told when a similar decision happened against Tottenham, when the goalkeeper’s coming out and he has contact with the player, but pulling out just before, then it shouldn’t be a penalty. That’s what we got told three, four weeks ago.
‘I’m very sure when this goes to the panel of refs, Howard Webb will come back and say “Sorry, it was not a penalty”. That will be even more frustrating. We do our best. I demand a big character from my players today, they showed it.
‘I always demand big character from the refs in a situation like this. This is a fantastic home crowd with a fantastic atmosphere, but they affect the decisions.
‘In my opinion, it’s not a penalty. It happens, it’s not the first time there’s a wrong decision in the world. We need to look at the performance, and the performance was very good.’
