McCarthy praises referee after Ipswich Town beat Leeds

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has praised the referee for deciding not to award Leeds United’s Sam Byram with a late penalty, claiming that “it would have been the easiest one in the world to give”, the Sudbury Mercury reports.

Ipswich ran out 1-0 winners at Elland Road on Tuesday night, ending Leeds’ unbeaten start to the season. Late into the game, Leeds winger Sam Byram fell to the floor following pressure from an Ipswich defender, the referee however, decided against awarding the home side a penalty.

At first viewing it appeared that Byram was indeed tripped by the back-tracking defender. Replays show that the 21-year-old went down with minimal contact from the Ipswich player, and tried to convince the referee that he was fouled.

Speaking after the match, the Sudbury Mercury quotes McCarthy as saying “I thought it was a penalty, I couldn’t see anything else, but I’ve just seen it on the replay and it’s not. Well done ref.

“Why he (Byram) has dived I don’t know because he’s in on goal. He doesn’t touch him. He (the referee) got it spot on and I admire his courage. It’s Tuesday night, under lights, a crowd of 22 thousand are baying for blood and it would have been the easiest one in the world to give. Fair play to him.”

A Tommy Smith goal just after the half-hour mark secured all three points for the Tractor Boys. McCarthy was full of praise for his side and their performance on the night. “That was a proper team performance, unlike Friday night (5-1 loss at Reading),” said McCarthy, “but Friday night was just one of those nights.

“We didn’t get carried away, despite the tone of the questions in the press conference yesterday. You should know by now that I trust the players. Did I expect a reaction? Of course, because they are a great bunch of lads. They’re terrific and that defeat hurt them as much as anybody.”

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