Souness fumes at official

SOUNESS'S VIEW Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness was furious at referee Alan Wiley for awarding the free-kick that led to Arsenal's opening goal.

"It was a joke," Souness said after the 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park.

"Thierry Henry didn't think it was free-kick, I didn't think it was a free-kick at the time and I've seen it on TV and still think it wasn't.

"It's changed the whole game because we were very much in the game up to that point," Souness added.

Henry curled home the 25-yard free-kick after Wiley adjudged him to have been fouled by Craig Short.

Robert Pires grabbed a second late on for the Premiership leaders.

But Souness felt they had matched the Gunners until the controversial breakthrough.

"We had frustrated Arsenal for most of the afternoon - you know they are going to have a lot of the ball," Souness added.

"They are an excellent team. We had done well but that changed everything. The goal gave them a lift and put them on the backfoot.

"It wouldn't have been a penalty if it had been inside the box. But it's all right because it is five yards outside.

"It wasn't a free-kick - it cost us everything and it's another frustrating afternoon and miserable weekend. I know I'll have a problem sleeping, but I know other people won't have a problem sleeping."