Ref Watch: England leveller should stand and Wales penalty correct, says Dermot Gallagher

Former Premier League referee runs the rule over Uefa Nations League decisions

Dermot Gallagher believes England were unlucky not to earn a point at Wembley against Spain

Dermot Gallagher is back with a special international edition of Ref Watch, and believes England were unlucky against Spain.

England were denied a late leveller in their UEFA Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, while Wales feel they were hard done by as Ethan Ampadu was penalised for a handball inside the area.

Former Premier League referee Gallagher looks at this and much more in this week's edition of Ref Watch...

England 1-2 Spain

Incident: Danny Welbeck's stoppage-time leveller is ruled out for a foul on David De Gea; the Spain goalkeeper fell down on top of Welbeck as he came down from collecting the ball.

Dermot's verdict: "I think the guy behind the goal has disallowed it; I think he thinks De Gea was pushed, and that Welbeck leans into the goalkeeper.

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"I think it's really harsh. I think he's entitled to go and De Gea gets the ball. But the expectation when you see a goalkeeper go down like that is: 'Free-kick to the goalkeeper'. I thought it was a good goal."

Image: Welbeck thought he had scored the equaliser for England against Spain

Incident: John Stones is booked for a last-gasp tackle on Iago Aspas. Stones gets some of the ball, was the last man, but the referee Danny Makkelie only gives a yellow.

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Dermot's verdict: "I think if you're going to make a mistake, like the referee has done here, it's the best mistake to make. It's not a foul, definitely not a foul, and he gives him a yellow card. That's wrong too: if it's a foul, it's a red card too. If you're going to make a mistake, at least he's watered it down with a yellow."

Denmark 2-0 Wales

Incident: Wales' Ethan Ampadu is penalised for a handball in the box as he blocks a cross. Christian Eriksen scores from the spot.

Denmark 2-0 Wales

Dermot's verdict: "In the World Cup you saw penalty after penalty given when the player puts his hand out. I just think it has progressed from there; I think the international refs have this notion that if you put your arm out, they're going to give a penalty. In terms of distance away from the cross, it's about the speed of the ball."

N Ireland 1-2 Bosnia

Incident: Referee Pavel Kralovec didn't give a penalty for Ervin Zukanovic's challenge on George Saville.

Northern Ireland 1-2 Bosnia

Dermot's verdict: "No, I think he goes down too easily. I'm not even sure he's touched. I think Saville kicks his leg out."

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