In a heartfelt confession, Jaidon Anthony disclosed his feelings of disappointment and bewilderment after his apparent goal against West Brom was disallowed, leaving him with a mix of emotions. The young winger believed he had put Burnley ahead with a well-placed header from a precise cross by Lucas Pires, only to have the joy ripped away by the referee’s decision.
Referee Tom Nield’s call for a free-kick due to a perceived push on defender Callum Styles, despite minimal contact shown in replays, left Scott Parker criticizing the soft nature of the decision in his post-match remarks. The turning point in the match saw Parker’s team settle for a frustrating goalless draw despite creating better chances, including Jeremy Sarmiento’s one-on-one denial and Pires’ shot hitting the post.
Reflecting on the incident after the game, Anthony expressed his frustration, mentioning, βI felt it was unfair. The defender didn’t protest, so I was left puzzled. However, we must persevere and continue pushing forward. More goals will surely follow. Scoring with a header is rare for me, so the disallowed goal was indeed disheartening. Nevertheless, we displayed a strong performance, and with hard work, the goals will eventually come.β
Veteran Clarets icon Sam Vokes, offering his insights on Sky Sports, firmly sided with Anthony, stating, βIt was undeniably a goal, and I would be furious if I were in Jaidon Anthony’s shoes. While I can understand the referee’s perspective, the execution of the cross and header was flawless. He executed the move perfectly, and it was surprising for everyone that the referee intervened. The lack of reaction from the West Brom players spoke volumes.β