Blackburn boss' warning for Keane
Mark Hughes had sound advice for Roy Keane earlier in the season when he warned the Sunderland manager that before the season's end he would have issues with referees.
Last night's games saw Rob Styles, the most prolific of Premiership penalty-givers this season add another couple to his list, but neither boss was complaining too much this time.
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And if the Rovers man had words of wisdom to offer this time around, it would have been you don't always get your just desserts in Premiership games and you have to take your chances when you can.
He said: "As far as the penalties were concerned, I think they were two correct decisions by the officials.
"I've got no arguments about the one which went against us.
"Samba's foul on Daryl Murphy is a clear penalty - he's gone for what he thinks is going to be a 50:50 ball but the way it's moved in the air, he's collided with his man.
"And at the other end, Higginbotham's raised his arms and stopped the ball going towards the goal so that, by the letter of the law is a clear penalty as well,
"Thankfully we converted our penalty and Sunderland didn't convert theirs and as a result we've taken the three points
"Sunderland closed us down really well and stopped us playing our passing game and they'll feel quite aggrieved they haven't got anything out of the game.
"But sometimes, as we know to our own cost, you don't always get what you deserve and this time it worked in our favour and not in Sunderland's.
"In the end we saw the game out comfortably with them having being reduced to 10 men."
Rovers were outplayed by Sunderland up until the point they scored and didn't look like the side chasing a place in Europe.
Hughes was at pains to excuse his players over a display which saw them booed off at half-time and pointed out that for the Rovers it has been a very successful Christmas period.
"It was a difficult game for everyone, both sides, to be fair," he said.
"The conditions didn't lend themselves to any kind of football being played and it was basically a situation where we had to get the ball into the right areas.
"First half we weren't allowed to do that because of Sunderland's good work.
"But we've got to remember we've had a decent return from our last few outings - three games played, seven points won - so we're back on track now, we feel."
Hughes was full of praise for his side's matchwinners - Brad Friedel with the penalty save at one end and Benni McCarthy's coolly taken penalty at the other.
He said: "Brad is playing very well at the moment and is producing key moments which are enabling us to have the positive results we need at the moment.
"It's a second penalty save in two games and both have been vital.
"As for Benni, last time he had a penalty he missed it, so I thought he showed great character to go looking for the ball.
"The keeper made a good attempt at it, he guessed the right way but Benni's technique and the pace he's put on the ball have enabled it to go in.
"I'm delighted for him and hopefully that will kick him on to a run of games."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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