Fulham manager Chris Coleman

A first half clash between Ashley and Andy Cole saw Halsey initially give the penalty. However, he retracted the spot-kick after consulting with both assistant referees.

“The referee got it all wrong,” Coleman said.

“I don’t make excuses and I won’t make any today.

“We scored a perfectly good goal and we had a penalty amazingly turned down.

“To be fair, the referee came to me afterwards and said: 'I got it wrong'. I’m not sure if he meant the goal or the penalty but, for me, he got them both wrong.

“We should have been one or two-nil up at half time.”

Coleman praised his team despite the defeat and is confident Fulham will return to winning ways after three straight defeats.

“My team were immense,” the Welshman continued.

“We started brightly and we were in the game for 65 minutes.

“We have to show the same commitment against West Brom in our next game. I’m sure we will give them a good game."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

“It was a disruptive game. Fulham played well, up until we opened the scoring,” Wenger said.

“I was surprised he gave the penalty to Fulham but you have to respect the referee’s decision,” the Frenchman continued.

“He was not completely sure and consulted the linesman, which is his right. “It was certainly a turning point.”

Arsenal also had a penalty appeal turned down when Moritz Volz caught Thierry Henry. “He (Henry) got a good kick from Moritz, but again you have to respect the referee’s decision,” said the Frenchman.

Wenger gave inspirational captain Patrick Vieira his first Premiership start and felt the French international played well despite being short of games. “He will get slowly better in every game and I felt his contribution was quite good.”

Arguably, the turning point was Jose Reyes’ introduction for Robert Pires midway through the second half.

The Spanish international was involved in the first goal and scored the third himself.

“He opened them up,” Wenger continued. “It is important to have players on the bench who can turn a game.”