Mel: Dubious penalty killed us

Last updated : 09 February 2014 By Wba-mad Editor

Pepe Mel could not hide his anger after watching Albion slip into the bottom three after losing 3-1 at relegation rivals Crystal Palace.

Albion were two goals down at half time after debutants Tom Ince and Joe Ledley gave Palace an early advantage following some slack defending.

On loan forward Thievy pulled a goal back on his Albion debut – some 40 seconds after coming on after the break.

But a controversial penalty following a Ben Foster challenge on Marouane Chamakh saw Palace regain their two goal advantage after the Moroccan converted the spot kick.  

Mel afterwards claimed the penalty decision was ‘laughable’ but admitted Albion’s first half performance was far from satisfactory.

“I’m extremely angry,” he said.

“We really did gift it to Crystal Palace in the first half.

“The first goal was from a second ball and the second goal was from a corner.

“I really would like to know why we started so slowly.

“But if we’d played as we played in the second half then we’d have three more points right now.”

Do you agree with Mel about Albion's performance? Have your say here at Baggies Banter