Derby County manager believes that Norwich City’s James Maddison dived to win a penalty during their 1-1 draw at Pride Park.
The Rams took the lead inside the first 15 minutes after Sky Bet Championship top goalscorer Matěj Vydra notched for the 17th time in the league this season; Norwich put the game level in the final 20 minutes with Maddison converting Daniel Farke’s side’s second penalty of the game.
The visitors’ first penalty was won after Maddison appeared to be bought down by goalkeeper Scott Carson and the spot kick was taken by Nélson Oliveira, but the Portuguese forward’s effort was saved by Carson just before half time.
Rowett believes that Maddison went down too easily and that diving is becoming common in modern-day football.
He said: “I thought it was a clear dive.
“I’m going to be honest I don’t like to say, but this happens all over the country so I’m not going to vilify one individual.
“I felt as he knocked it past Scott Carson he left his leg into him for contact and for me yes there’s contact but Scott Carson didn’t move towards Madison to entice contact. I was disappointed with that first penalty.
“I’m not here to complain about it I’m just telling you what I thought. I’m trying to be honest and what I felt was he enticed that contact in the first half which is something that you don’t need to do when you’ve got so much ability.”
After taking the lead, Derby struggling to keep a firm grip of the game, with Norwich having two penalties and a number of other great opportunities.
The 43-year-old Derby boss believes that his side were lucky to have earned a point from the match.
“If I look at the game for 15 or 20 minutes, I thought we were good”, said Rowett.
“From then on we seemed to just lack a little bit of intensity, seemed to drop in too deep. We were too passive out of possession of the ball, we looked a bit edgy and a bit negative on the ball, we kept going backwards when we had the chance to go forward in attack. I’m not sure why.
“I think today certainly was the poorest we’ve been for a while. In some ways to come away with a point, I would have to be pretty pleased with that.”
Derby are next in action on Tuesday evening where they will face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough; a Rams victory will move them back into second place in the Championship table and above Aston Villa.
