England boss Roy Hodgson has criticised referee Cuneyt Cakir after his performance in the Three Lions’ shock 1-1 home draw with Ukraine in 2014 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
Ukraine had gone ahead in Tuesday’s clash through a wonder strike from Evgeni Konoplienka on 39 minutes, before Frank Lampard levelled from the spot on 85 minutes.
However, Hodgson fumed at the referee who sent off Steven Gerrard late on for a second bookable offence and handed out a number of yellow cards throughout the contest, while he also disallowed a Jermain Defoe strike in the first half.
“Some of the yellow cards were a bit hard to take and if Steven Gerrard committed two fouls in the game I’d be surprised,” Hodgson told ITV1. “We went a goal down to a wonder goal but I was really pleased with the way we kept tidy, kept trying and didn’t resort to any hopeful long balls.
“We kept playing through and creating chances and we were rewarded in the end by getting the equaliser and we might even have got a winner.
“All credit to Ukraine who played well enough. At least I’m happy we came out with something because had we lost the game it would have been very harsh on us, because we certainly deserved at least a draw.’’
Meanwhile, Lampard bemoaned the referee’s decision to disallow Defoe’s goal.
“I thought he (the referee) pulled it back for a free-kick to us. It wasn’t a foul at all so we’ve very disappointed with that,” he said.