Kinnear on ref rant as Latics win

JOE KINNEAR blasted referee Mike Dean after watching his Newcastle side beaten 2-1 by Wigan.

Dean dismissed Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong for bringing down Emile Heskey to allow Amr Zaki slot home his ninth Premier League goal from the penalty spot, giving Wigan a 2-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining.

Then Dean booked Newcastle sub Andrew Carroll for diving when it looked as if Newcastle might save a point with a late spot-kick.

Kinnear said: “I can’t find words to express Dean’s performance. If he gives a penalty for Heskey why couldn’t he for Andy Carroll?

“Heskey has thrown himself and lost his balance. But he’s 6ft 3in, for Christ’s sake. The referees fall for it. At the other end Carroll’s hacked down from behind. It’s a clear penalty.’’

“Even Stevie Bruce said the same but we didn’t get it.”

Newcastle did receive a spot kick in the 87th minute which Danny Guthrie scored and Damien Duff missed a later chance to grab a point.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce admits his problem is to keep his team together amid interest from Emile Heskey from .”

WIGAN: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Kilbane 90), Taylor (Brown 71), Heskey (Camara 85), Zaki.NEWCASTLE: Given, Beye (Taylor 38), Coloccini, Bassong, N’Zogbia, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, Duff, Owen (Edgar 77), Viduka (Carroll 68).

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).