Last Updated: Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:18
Steve Clarke hit out at referee Mike Jones after he failed to spot a dive by Arsenal's Santi Cazorla as the Gunners recorded a 2-0 win.
Arsenal took the lead in controversial fashion midway through the first half as Spain midfielder Cazorla flung himself to the floor following a challenge by Steven Reid, with replays showing there was no contact. Mikel Arteta converted the resulting penalty.
The Baggies, who lost twice last week to halt their fine start to the season, never really recovered from the sense of injustice and there was no way back once Arteta converted from the spot again after 64 minutes after Chris Brunt had tripped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - which Clarke felt had come following a foul by the midfielder on Goran Popov in the build-up
"There was zero contact, it wasn't even close. I am not sure what the referee saw," said the angry West Brom manager. "It was a bad decision for us and obviously changed the shape of the afternoon.
"It could have been a nervous afternoon for Arsenal, at 0-0 they hadn't created too much.
"We knew the longer the game went the more pressure would come on Arsenal and then we would have a chance. That decision changed it."
Clarke continued: "The second was a clear penalty, no complaints, Chris fouled Oxlade-Chamberlain - but Goran Popov was fouled in the lead up to it and for some reason the referee, who gave soft free-kicks all afternoon, decided not to give that one.
"Another poor decision for us, you can add the [Per] Mertesacker handball in the first half - it was a normal ball into the box and somehow the officials decide it was a free-kick as it's the easy way out.
"They gave it for a free-kick on somebody but I've seen the replay and for the life of me cannot see a free-kick."
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