He was understandably confused by the decision
Lewis Dunk said referee Lee Mason gave him the go ahead to take a quick free kick before the ruling out the subsequent goal during Brighton’s loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Not for the first time, Dunk caught his opponents off guard with a quickly taken set piece, as Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone was still getting into position.
But controversy ensued as Lee Mason blew his whistle for a second time as the ball crossed the line, seemingly going back on his original decision to allow the quick free kick.
Speaking after the game, Lewis Dunk told the press Mason should come out and explain what happened, revealing that he didn’t let Dunk speak to him about the incident during the half-time break.
“It’s embarrassing,” Dunk said.
“I’ve got to come here and speak about it in front of camera, why doesn’t he speak about it? Why doesn’t he come here and say what he thought? I know what he said.
“I said ‘can I take the free kick?’ He said ‘yeah.’ I took it, I scored.
“Gives the goal, massive protests from them, and he changes his mind.”
"I've got to come here and speak about it in front of camera, why doesn't he speak about it? Why doesn't he come here and say what he thought? I know what he said."
Lewis Dunk says Lee Mason's decision today was 'embarrassing'.#bbcfootball #WBA #bhafc pic.twitter.com/9ikPzbxvrz
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 27, 2021
The bizarre episode has dominated the narrative of the game, but Brighton didn’t help themselves. The visitors missed two penalties, the first from Pascal Groß, who blazed his spot kick against the cross bar. And then again with just over ten minutes remaining, Danny Welbeck hit the post from 12 yards.
