Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said referee Lee Probert cost his side victory in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

The Gunners looked set to clinch three points at Craven Cottage until the home side staged a late comeback.

Wenger was unhappy with the decision to send off defender Johan Djourou for two bookable offences and felt his team should have been awarded a penalty.

“The referee influenced the game in completely the wrong way, in my opinion,” said Wenger.

The Gunners now lie fifth in the Premier League, one point behind Chelsea, following their fifth away defeat of the season.

Djourou was dismissed on 78 minutes for pulling back Bobby Zamora but Wenger thought the Swiss international was harshly treated and accused Fulham of trying to get the defender sent off.

“When Djourou got the first yellow card, they tried every time to get him a second yellow and the referee was naive enough to give it,” said Wenger.

“I saw it coming, you know. I do not need to make stories for newspapers. I tell you the game I have seen. I don’t care about the rest.”

Wenger also thought his side should have had a first-half penalty.

Asked if Gervinho has been fouled inside the area by Philippe Senderos, Wenger said: “200%, but we know we don’t get penalties.”

Arsenal dominated the first half but only had Laurent Koscielny’s header to show for their efforts.

Fulham then sealed victory with goals from Steve Sidwell and Zamora in the final five minutes.

“In the second half, we were tired in the last 10 minutes,” added Wenger. “We lost the game because we were down to 10 men.”

Wenger’s anger contrasted with the joy of Fulham boss Martin Jol, who experienced victory over his managerial rival at the ninth attempt.

“I am relieved after any game when we get the points on the board and against a top side like Arsenal,” Jol said.

“We did it before against Liverpool and Chelsea so we have some players with excellent quality who can make the difference as you saw.”

The Dutchman laughed off Wenger’s suggestion that Fulham tried to get Djourou sent off.

“Maybe he could accuse me of trying to do something but I don’t think players can do that,” said Jol.

“The only thing I did was put Kerim Frei on the flank. He is an exciting player and he wanted to go one-v-one all the time.

“That was probably the problem for Djourou. He probably could have had a second booking before that, to be fair.”

Speaking about his side’s victory, Jol added: “It was amazing. We played ever so well in the second half.

“Sometimes if you can’t score at the right times you end up with a draw but I think in the end the win was deserved.”

 

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Monday, 2 January 2012

Barclays Premier League

Aston Villa 0-2 Swansea

Blackburn 1-2 Stoke

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

QPR 1-2 Norwich

Wolverhampton 1-2 Chelsea