Nottingham Forest relinquished their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign after a 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham.
The Reds lost when Murillo was deemed to have fouled Andrea Pereira shortly after half-time, with Raul Jimenez scoring from the penalty spot.
Forest can count themselves unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty themselves when Anthony Elanga was fouled by Calvin Bassey shortly after.
It was one of those decisions that would have been a soft decision but was certainly not a deal different to the one that referee Josh Smith gave on Murillo.
Forest were forced to settle for a 1-0 defeat as a drab second half came to a close with Forest failing to create any quality chances of note after falling behind.
In truth, had the game finished 0-0 both teams would have taken it and been prepared to move on to next weekend with another point on the board.
Brian Laws shared verdict on Murillo decision in Forest defeat
The Reds need to shake this one off quickly and move on to a very tricky-looking game against Chelsea next weekend.
Forest came unstuck shortly after half-time when it seemed as though Nuno Espirito Santo’s somewhat bizarre gameplan seemed to be working.
Going behind wasn’t part of the process though and Forest simply threw lots of mud at the wall after going behind hoping something would stick.
However, it didn’t and Murillo was forced to hold his hands up and admit that it was his foul that ultimately cost Forest the chance to take any points.
Laws – rather surprisingly – didn’t think the defender could have too many issues.
He told BBC Radio Nottingham: “Murillo is watching the ball, and he’s actually stood on his heel…the thing that’s caused the problem is the hands on the back.”
VAR discrepancies once again rear their ugly head
Forest could have done with a nice quiet afternoon in terms of the match officials but again they find themselves cursing more inconsistencies.
If VAR, John Brooks, deems the supposed foul on Pereira another check, then surely he has no choice but to do the same and recommend another look for the challenge on Elanga.
It doesn’t sit right in our view that the game has been decided for a really soft review demanded by a bloke who sat miles away watching the game on television.
Smith was refereeing in the Premier League as he bids to prove himself and it has to be said that it wasn’t a particularly commanding performance by him.
Forest have no choice but to dust themselves down quickly and hopefully, the Reds can bounce back at Chelsea next weekend with a more positive performance.
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