22/04/2025 06:50
Keith Hackett has reacted to appeals for a penalty from Brighton striker Danny Welbeck during his side’s defeat at Brentford.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was not enough in a challenge from Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken to justify the award of a penalty.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is under pressure following a poor run of results, and a 4-2 defeat away at Brentford on Saturday (19 April) will not have helped his cause either.
However, the Seagulls may feel they have some cause for frustration over penalty claims that did not go their way during that game.
Mark Flekken error goes unpunished
After rumoured Arsenal transfer target Bryan Mbeumo had put the hosts in front early in the first half, Hurzeler’s side would push for an equaliser.
With 16 minutes on the clock on the clock, a scuffed clearances from Flekken landed at the feet of Welbeck inside the Brentford area.
Initially though, the former England international mis-controlled the ball, which then went loose towards the byline.
| Brighton last five games | Result |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | Drew 0-0 (lost on penalties) |
| Aston Villa (H) | Lost 3-0 |
| Crystal Palace (A) | Lost 2-1 |
| Leicester City (H) | Drew 2-2 |
| Brentford (A) | Lost 4-2 |
As the pair then chased for possession, Welbeck went down after contact from Flekken, leading to appeals for a penalty from the Brighton man.
However, no spot kick was given, which Hackett ultimately believes was the correct decision from referee Tim Robinson, given the way in which Welbeck went to ground.
‘Brighton right over penalty appeal after goalkeeper mistake’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider whether Brighton could have had a penalty after that challenge, the former referee said:
“I think it would have been a soft penalty in fairness. When a player goes upwards first, he’s sort of straightening his leg before he goes down, it’s an indication he’s trying to manufacture contact.
“So for me I think the referee’s got that one right, it’s not a penalty kick for me. That’s what you’re looking for.
“One of the things I talk about when I’m coaching referees is a ‘dolphin action’, it’s like an ‘up and over’ sort of thing, and they’ll exaggerate it.
“The player knew he was going to get nothing out of that, and therefore he thought ‘I’ll go and try and get a penalty kick’. In fairness I think the referee’s read it well.”
Brighton were later denied a penalty was Lewis Dunk was hauled down in the area by Rico Henry, as the Seagulls slipped to another defeat to dent their hopes of European qualification.
The post PGMOL insider: Danny Welbeck 'manufactured' penalty clash as Brighton lost at Brentford appeared first on Football Insider.
