Forest ref adviser Clattenburg blasts: It was a hat-trick of howlers

Nottingham Forest referees adviser Mark Clattenburg says the club is justified in their fury with the match officials after defeat at Everton.

Forest released a statement at the final whistle stating they would consider their "options" after at least controversial incidents.

Clattenburg wrote for the Daily Mail: "One of these errors would have been bad enough. Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way.

"In a season where they have had to endure some egregious refereeing, this trip to Everton was as grim a game as they have encountered since returning to the Premier League.

"First, Ashley Young kicked the back of the foot of Giovanni Reyna. We have seen others win penalties in similar situations Anthony Gordon for Newcastle against West Ham, for example but not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

"Then, Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross was stopped by the outstretched arm of Young. Handballs for making your body unnaturally bigger have routinely resulted in spot-kicks Michael Keane was penalised for Everton against Liverpool, for example but again, not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

"Finally, Hudson-Odoi was bursting into the box when Young challenged him from behind, completely wiping him out. Referee Anthony Taylor apparently told the players on the pitch that both Young and Hudson-Odoi touched the ball. The television replays told a very different story and VAR Stuart Attwell had to send Taylor for a second look to correct his call. He didn't. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

"These situations were precisely why video technology was brought into the Premier League and yet, Attwell did not send Taylor to his monitor. Not once. It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight."