Portsmouth goal shouldn’t have stood vs Watford as Keith Hackett reacts to footage
Portsmouth fought back to claim a 2-2 draw in an entertaining match against Watford on Wednesday.
John Mousinho’s side found themselves behind after two early second-half goals from Watford cancelled out Yang Min-hyeok’s opener.
However, Portsmouth kept fighting and found an equaliser through Adrian Segecic.
Harvey Blair fell on the ball in the build-up to the goal, but he used great nous to hook it over to the Australian while still on the floor.
Segecic finished smartly with a trademark left-footed rifle beating the goalkeeper at his near post, but there is some suggestion that the goal should have been disallowed.
Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett comments on contentious Portsmouth moments vs Watford
Former Premier League referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said he would have disallowed Segecic’s equaliser due to a suspected handball by Harvey Blair in the build-up.
Speaking exclusively to Pompey News after being shown footage of the incident, he said: “There is terminology that we use in officiating. We call it ‘safe refereeing’.
“With the ball close to the player on the ground and the suspicion that the player may have handled it, you blow for a free-kick in order to avoid controversy.
“There was movement of the hand close to the ball. There may be some doubt with regard to the contact between hand and ball.
- Read more: Keith Hackett reacts to penalty incident Portsmouth fans were raging about in draw vs Watford
“It is easier and safer in this situation to blow and award a free-kick. That is what I would have done, rather than have a doubtful goal. It’s called ‘common sense.’”
Portsmouth will be buoyed by equalising goal ahead of tricky October fixtures
Portsmouth went into this fixture having lost their last two games, and a 2-2 draw against Watford isn’t the best result on paper, but Segecic’s equaliser should do a lot of good for the squad’s morale.
The team has a tricky run of fixtures in October, and they may have appeared more daunting if their losing streak had continued.
While a draw keeps Pompey within touching distance of the relegation zone, the players will be buoyed by their ability to fight back and claim a point.
| Date | Opponent |
| 4 October | Middlesbrough (H) |
| 18 October | Leicester (A) |
| 21 October | Coventry (H) |
| 25 October | Stoke (H) |
Portsmouth have been instructed to show more bravery in the final third, and that could be crucial to get any points from the likes of Middlesbrough, Leicester and Coventry in the coming weeks.
However, their attackers should approach these games with a sense of renewed optimism. Yang and Segecic should be particularly confident heading into next week’s game against Middlesbrough. If they can be as lethal in front of goal as they were on Wednesday, Pompey will have a fighting chance.
Some more generous decisions from the referee wouldn’t be refused either.
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