Lennon left fuming as ‘disgraceful’ decision costs Bhoys

NEIL LENNON claims Udinese’s late penalty at Parkhead which cost Celtic their first Europa League Group I win was down to a “disgraceful decision” by Turkish referee Bulent Yildirim last night.

The Hoops got off to the perfect start when midfielder Ki Sung-yueng scored from the spot in the third minute after striker Gary Hooper had been fouled by Lars Joel Ekstrand, although the official took his time before pointing to the spot.

With four minutes remaining, and Celtic looking as though they had done just enough to get past a youthful Italian side, Yildirim adjudged Hooper to have fouled Neuton Sergio Piccoli in the box.

Almen Abdi sent Lukasz Zaluska the wrong way with his penalty to leave the stunned home side with one point from two games.

The Celtic boss was in no doubt as to why they his side had not come away with all three points ahead of their trip to Rennes next month.

“It was a disgraceful decision,” he said.

“Gary Hooper did what he could do to get out of the way.

“Ours was definitely a penalty but the referee deliberated for 20 seconds before giving it. I can’t understand that.

“Hooper is very upset and angry as all the players are after putting so much work in to the game.

“To lose two points after a decision like that is hard to take for the players.’’

Elsewhere Stoke came from behind to claim a 2-1 win against Besiktas thanks to striker Jon Walters’ penalty in last night’s Europa League Group E clash at the Britannia Stadium.

The Turkish visitors went ahead in the 14th minute when Roberto Hilbert struck into the far corner having latched on to Ricardo Quaresma’s pass, but their lead lasted only a minute, goalkeeper Rustu Recber unable to claim Dean Whitehead’s corner and Peter Crouch was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.

Walters then settled things in the 78th minute, hammering his spot-kick past Rustu after Crouch had been brought down by Tomas Sivok.

Meanwhile Andrew Johnson’s brace helped Fulham end an eight-game winless run and secure 2-0 away to Odense.

The 30-year-old broke the deadlock with a first-half strike that snuck under former Everton goalkeeper Stefan Wessels, before scoring with a neat curling effort with two minutes remaining.

And Wade Elliott spared Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle’s blushes as his winner earned the npower Championship side their first Europa League victory despite his team-mate’s horrendous blunder.

Doyle had gifted NK Maribor the half-time lead in their Group H clash when he swung at and missed Jonathan Spector’s backpass to allow Dalibor Volas to score a comical opener.

But Scotland winger Chris Burke levelled and then Elliott, a recent signing from Burnley, earned Chris Hughton’s side a memorable victory with a classy strike to give his side real hope of making a push for the knock-out stages.