'McKenna has every right to feel aggrieved' - MOTD pundits on penalty controversy

Match of the Day pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards were in no doubt that Ipswich Town were harshly treated in yesterday's controversial 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

The Blues looked they were cruising to their first Premier League win of the season at 1-0 up and the clock ticking down.

READ MORE: 'For the first time in more than a decade of football reporting I’m going to unload here' - Stuart Watson on Town draw

But the game turned on two big calls from ref Tim Robinson within seconds of each other with 12 minutes to play.

First, Conor Chaplin was clattered to the ground by Abdul Fatawu in the Leicester box in what appeared to be a stonewall penalty.

Kalvin Phillips was sent off for this challenge (Image: Steve Waller) Then, just seconds later, Kalvin Phillips was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Ricardo Pereira in the aftermath of the penalty row.

Town boss Kieran McKenna was incensed after the game, saying that Town were denied 'a clear penalty' and arguing that Phillips should not have been dismissed.

And he was backed up by both Hart and Richards on last night's iconic highlights show.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna remonstrates with referee Tim Robinson after the final whistle (Image: Steve Waller) Hart said: “I feel like Kieran McKenna has every right to feel aggrieved. I just feel like Fatawu’s flown out there and there’s no doubt there’s contact.

“I was interested to see on the replay whether Chaplin manages to just get that little touch….that’s a penalty for me.”

Richards added:  “Ref’s call though, we’ve talked about this high bar, ref’s decision… but it’s a penalty, it was a foul."

On Phillips' dismissal, Richards said: “Phillips, he takes his foot out. I understand why the ref’s given it as it looks worse at the time…

“I think Phillips was unlucky. He does leave his leg out, but he’s pulling it away at the same time."

Town fans vent their frustration at referee Tim Robinson as he leaves the pitch after the game. (Image: Steve Waller) One man with an opposing view - other than chortling Leicester legend and MOTD host Gary Lineker - was Foxes' boss Steve Cooper.

He said of the penalty incident: "For us or them? I can't remember. I didn't see it, sorry. Oh, I do remember, it was from a set-piece, a free-kick, wasn't it? Yeah. No, I didn't see it. I remember the moment though."