Tony Pulis unhappy with decisions following late West Brom draw

Not only does the Baggies boss think James McClean's challenge that led to the free-kick was a fair one, he also believes Michael Oliver should have blown the final whistle before then.

Cursing his luck for the second game in a row after Jay Rodriguez was denied a penalty at Arsenal on Monday, the Baggies boss was perplexed that Oliver chose to give a free-kick to Watford because he had a 'great view' of McClean's challenge.

The Ireland international was booked for a lunging tackle on Richarlison in the final minute of injury time that the Brazilian then nodded in with almost the last touch of the game.

It completed a fight-back from 2-0 for Watford after Salomon Rondon's first goal at The Hawthorns in 2017 and Jonny Evans had put Albion in control.

Abdoulaye Doucoure reduced the deficit before half-time but it looked like Albion had weathered the storm before Richarlison's late leveller.

"It was disappointing," said Pulis ."The challenge from McClean is a fair challenge.

"He plays the ball and is nowhere near the player and the referee has got a great view of it.

"That’s two games in a row where a decision that’s gone against us has cost us a goal.

"Looking at it and looking at Oliver’s view of it, it’s a good challenge. James plays the ball."

"The other fact is that first half he played a minute over. And second half he played a minute over.

"There were four minutes injury time, they actually scored in the 95th minute.

"So little things like that have gone against us and it’s disappointing."

McClean has earned a reputation for being a hot-headed winger, but Pulis didn't think that influenced Oliver in this situation, saying, "No, I just think it’s one that’s gone against us."

However, he did admit the way his team left themselves open was criminal so close to the final whistle.

"I think we should be more set up to make sure they didn’t counter-attack," he said.

"To leave the other side of the pitch that empty for the lad to turn from one pass and run at us was disappointing.

"I’m disappointed we’ve given the ball away for a start having had a free-kick a got the ball in the corner and bodies around it.

"They should never have had the chance to turn and run at us."