"These decisions have to be right!" - Huddersfield Town legend gives verdict on penalty claims after Hull clash

Huddersfield Town’s 1-0 win over Hull on Friday night was tough work for the Terriers who moved back into third position in the table with the win. It could and maybe should have been a quieter night if two clear penalty decisions had gone their way as Alfie Jones’ handball went unpunished first half, and Richie Smallwood’s challenge on Josh Koroma was deemed to have happened outside the penalty area on the hour.

It was a busy night for the officials as Hull striker Tom Eaves earned two yellows to be sent off just before halftime, and there were other penalty incidents that looked very much in the realms of ‘seen them given’ despite there being no whistle. Ultimately the Terriers got the result they needed but it could have been a costly night without Harry Toffolo’s late winner.

Covering the game for Sky Sports in the studio Michael Hefele was in no doubt about either of the penalties and questioned the officials’ response to each. “This is very clear, this is a handball,” said the ex-Town defender, “we’re speaking about top six and the play-offs, so much money involved, high stakes, and these decisions they have to be right.”

On the second, the challenge on Koroma, Hef was even more convinced, “we have to look here very objectively, this is a clear foul from Smallwood on the inside of the box – you can see where he touches Koroma’s leg on the calf, the right foot clearly inside the box. If the referee’s not seeing it then the linesman has to see it, there were some big decisions that they didn’t get right. In my opinion, if they (Town) are not winning that game with no emotions whatsoever I would want to ask them the questions and ask for a statement – what did you see there because it’s a major effect on the game