Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy refused to let controversy cloud his side’s 2-0 FA Cup victory at St Andrew’s last night by insisting that it was a deserved outcome for his team.
A dismissed penalty appeal from Birmingham City seconds before the half-time followed by Howard Webb’s unfortunate involvement in Wolves’ second goal after the break were the talking points of last night’s third-round tie.
However despite admitting that his opponents’ 44th-minute penalty claims, after Richard Stearman had fouled Marcus Bent, were wrong to be turned down, McCarthy didn’t want to take anything away from his side’s heroics in this latest and re-arranged West Midlands derby.
“I was very pleased, I thought we played well and deserved to win,” said McCarthy.
“Regarding the incidents that are being talked about, I thought it was a penalty but I thought that ours on Saturday was a penalty – you get some, you don’t get some.
“I haven’t seen it (the penalty appeal) again but my viewing of it was that it was and of course we were very fortunate because it was Richard Stearman and had he been booked again he would have been sent off.
“I don’t know what the other controversies are, the only other controversies are that we missed about seven or eight really good chances as well,” McCarthy added.
Of course the other suggested controversy was a pass from Radhi Jaidi that deflected off Mr Webb and into Andy Keogh’s path seconds before the away side’s second goal, from Sam Vokes, in the 51st minute.
“I grew up being taught that the referee is part of the field of play and if it hits him then it’s part of it,” said McCarthy.
“If it had happened to me I would be unhappy about it, of course I would but I wouldn’t complain because those are the rules and I tell you what, we had to do a fair bit to stick it in the net after that.”
> Birmingham City 0 Wolves 2 - relive the LiveBlog match banter
