QPR boss admits Sheffield United unfortunate over key penalty decision as Paul Heckingbottom has his say

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Magnanimous Queens Park Rangers boss Michael Beale appeared to concede that Sheffield United were unfortunate not to be awarded an injury-time penalty against his side at Bramall Lane last night.

The incident, Andre Dozzell’s tug on Sander Berge which resulted in the Norwegian injuring his knee, was a flashpoint of Rangers’ 1-0 win, inflicting a rare home defeat on the Blades as they saw second-placed Norwich City move level with them on points.

Referee James Linington pressed his earpiece in an apparent bid for clarity from his assistant referee after Berge went down, before waving away the appeals and giving a goal-kick.

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Paul Heckingbottom, the United boss, revealed later that Linington didn’t blow because Berge was also tugging Dozzell’s shirt as United sought a way back into the game, before conceding he was more concerned about the injury to Berge’s knee ahead of this weekend’s trip to Stoke.

But his opposite number Beale, who showered United with praise and added Heckingbottom was “lucky” to have the players he has at his disposal, admitted: “Young Andre on Sander? Listen, if it’s in the middle of the park isn’t a foul, isn’t it?

“What I would say to young Andre is: ‘Sander’s facing the stand. Why do you want to do that? Just block it. Your teammates have gone to the well for you, why would you ruin it or potentially put it in the ref’s hands?’

Sheffield United appealed for a penalty after Sander Berge saw his shirt tugged by Andre Dozzell in the closing stages of the Blades' defeat to QPR: Andrew Yates / SportimageSheffield United appealed for a penalty after Sander Berge saw his shirt tugged by Andre Dozzell in the closing stages of the Blades' defeat to QPR: Andrew Yates / Sportimage
Sheffield United appealed for a penalty after Sander Berge saw his shirt tugged by Andre Dozzell in the closing stages of the Blades' defeat to QPR: Andrew Yates / Sportimage

“I’d have to look at it back but listening to everyone around me, it’s a foul outside the box isn’t it?”

"There were two hands on [Berge], pulling his shirt and he's actually got injured from it after twisting when he fell over, so we will be getting that scanned," Heckingbottom said.

"The ref said they were pulling each other's shirts.”

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