Leicester City manager Steve Cooper bemoaned referee Andy Madley after the Foxes fell to a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
In the early kick-off at the King Power Stadium, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez found the net in a game the visitors largely dominated.
Substitute Jordan Ayew pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time but it proved too little too late for Cooper’s team.
Less than 10 minutes before the spot-kick, Leicester had another penalty shout turned down when substitute Stephy Mavididi went to ground under a challenge from former Foxes player Wesley Fofana.
The complaints were waived away as Chelsea and boss Enzo Maresca, who was returning to the club he guided to the Championship title, emerged as winners.
And Cooper was quick to highlight the decision in his post-match interview.
“We’ve had some terrible luck with this referee this year.” 😬
Steve Cooper speaks after Leicester’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium 🗣
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Speaking to TNT Sports, the Leicester manager said: “In terms of the penalty decision, we’ve had some terrible luck with this referee [Madley] this year and that’s continued today.
“There’s also the game to talk about. It was a tough first half, there is no doubt about that, with Chelsea’s territory and dominance with the ball.
“We gave away a really poor goal. Although Chelsea were dominating, the game should be 0-0. And we’ve actually had two good chances ourselves.
“We opened up the game a little in the second half and then you are vulnerable for attacks through Chelsea’s really talented players.
“We’ll always be disappointed with the goals we concede but the big moment on the first penalty [decision].
“I don’t want to say too much but it’s clear. Even the second one, it’s been given offside [initially] so that’s the story of the official’s game.
“If we had managed some moments better, and the referee had managed some moments better, we might have got something out of the game.”
The result leaves Cooper’s team hovering just above the relegation zone, while Chelsea remain in third.
Jackson, however, insisted the Blues are not getting too ahead of themselves.
The striker said: “We’re not looking at the teams in front of us, we’re just trying to win every game.
“At the end, we will see how it goes.”
