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West Brom 2 - Swansea 1: Michael Laudrup in ‘rules’ rant
MICHAEL LAUDRUP is as cool as they come – but yesterday he lost it.
The Swansea boss was seething about a late decision which ruled out an equaliser from substitute Roland Lamah for offside.
The ball appeared to reach Lamah via Albion defender Gareth McAuley and keeper Ben Foster before it was turned into the net.
Laudrup chose his words carefully and delivered them in deliberate tones, but he was angry and frustrated.
How can you disallow that goal? You don’t know the rules or you have not seen it.
“What happened in the disallowed goal is against the rules,” he said. “How can you disallow when ball comes from opponent? It’s like being offside from a throw-in. It’s come off two opponents – the goalkeeper and the defender.
“How can you disallow that goal? You don’t know the rules or you have not seen it. He is a linesman so he must know the rules.
“If you see a linesman flag for offside from a throw-in, you would laugh. I can assure you I did not laugh after this one.”
Baggies boss Steve Clarke admitted: “We got a lucky break with that one. But I thought we deserved to win.”
Albion rallied after Luke Moore’s backward header from Jonathan de Guzman’s corner gave Swansea a 33rd-minute lead. Albion equalised when Romelu Lukaku converted Graham Dorran’s low cross in the 40th minute.
Lukaku had a penalty superbly saved by Michel Vorm before Albion went ahead – though the goal was laced with good fortune.
Gareth McAuley’s header was cleared off the line by Angel Rangel but hit De Guzman on the back and diverted into the net.