Birmingham City’s opening goal in the 2025/26 Championship season was controversially ruled out – leaving Troy Deeney furious.
The hosts thought they had raced into an early lead in their eventual 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Friday night against Ipswich Town.
Kyogo Furuhashi – a summer signing from Rennes – brilliantly lobbed Alex Palmer from the edge of the box to spark delirium amongst the home fans.
However, referee Andrew Kitchen adjudged the Japan international to have fouled Jacob Greaves in the build-up.
A long ball was tossed forward and Kyogo slightly leaned into the centre-back, and before the ball hit the back of the net, the whistle blew.
Huge boos rang around the stadium, with Deeney left in disbelief by the match official’s decision.
What did Troy Deeney say about the referee’s decision?
Speaking on talkSPORT’s live commentary alongside Joe Shennan and Adrian Durham, he said: “We are just watching the replay.
“Just watch how little contact Kyogo makes here.
“Greaves let’s it bounce. He tries to let it go over his head. It hits his heel, and he’s already blew the whistle.
“But they are the things that go for you as a newly-relegated Premier League team.
“That should be a goal, that should be 1-0 Birmingham, but again, the referee has given a foul every time someone touches someone.
“This is not a Premier League game. This is the Championship, there is more physicality, and that should be a goal.”
Just moments after the controversial incident, Kitchen then waved away an almost identical challenge from Greaves on Kyogo.
It left the Birmingham fans incensed, with Deeney of the opinion they have every right to feel aggrieved.
He remarked: “The referee is in for a really long night here.
“The way he’s refereed these first eight minutes has caused himself so much trouble.
“The foul for the goal was a clear play-on, and again, he’s just blowing at everything.”
Kitchen then booked Bright Osayi-Samuel and Jack Taylor after a heated confrontation in the middle of the park.
But it was the Kyogo decision that dominated the first half, with Sky Sports’ Don Goodman also left baffled.
He said: “Even if the whistle has gone. What a finish.
“Birmingham can feel aggrieved. That is a really poor decision.”
The Blues eventually took the lead through Jay Stansfield’s opener in the 55th minute.
But Ipswich levelled up the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time.