'Sleep like a baby' - Lee Bowyer launches scathing officials attack after Birmingham City defeat

Lee Bowyer was hugely critical of the officials after his Birmingham City side were beaten 2-1 by Sheffield United.

The Blues ’ head coach was angered by the Blades’ second goal as Billy Sharp strayed offside and prevented Neil Etheridge from making an effective clearance.

The goalkeeper had to head rather than kick the ball clear allowing the visitors to initiate a superb move that ended with Jayden Bogle scoring the winner with 15 minutes to go.

Bowyer insists Sharp was should have been whistled and play stopped.

“Billy Sharp was offside and then he is trying to get on to the ball that has been clipped over the top, by him chasing the goalkeeper down he is interfering,” Bowyer said.

“They say if he just stepped aside and let’s the goalkeeper do what he wants he is not interfering.

“Neil couldn’t take a touch and clear it, he [Sharp] is five yards away from him by the time he makes contact. If he wasn’t he could have controlled it and cleared it.

“The rules change every bloody game. That’s why I am upset and disappointed because my players deserved more. We pushed a very good Sheffield United team, I don’t think there was much in the game first half, nip and tuck.

“They started better than us second but then we started to get on top, ask more questions of them and then we scored and on top again, nearly score again.

“If I have got one complaint from tonight it’s the first goal, you play that diamond, that’s your strength through the middle of the pitch and that’s where they score from, they went straight through the middle – that shouldn’t happen.

“Second goal that shouldn’t stand. The linesman was trying to say to me ‘He wasn’t close enough to interfere’.

“You are making him make decision that’s interfering. If he