Blues Plan To Appeal Taylor Red Card

Last updated : 14 April 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

The Blues number one was dismissed by Kent referee Barry Knight for denying a goalscoring opportunity by handling the ball outside the penalty box moments before the half time whistle at Fratton Park.

Although the Northern Ireland international clearly handled outside his area Blues boss Steve Bruce has questioned whether or not he has denied Pompey a goalscoring opportunity. Nigerian striker Yakubu Ayegbeni ran on to steer the loose ball into the empty net but the referee disallowed the goal and awarded the home side a free kick.

Bruce has told the Birmingham Evening Mail that he thinks that Taylor has actually created a goalscoring opportunity for the home side, not denied them one, and that Blues intend to appeal the decision that, if it fails, will lead to the Blues keeper missing two games through suspension.