BOLTON (England), Sept 29: An English referee has apologised to Bolton for mistakenly awarding a crucial penalty kick in the team’s 2-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United.

Bolton was holding the defending champions scoreless at Old Trafford on Saturday when Rob Styles gave United a 60th-minute penalty kick for what had looked to be a clean tackle by defender JLloyd Samuel on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo scored from the spot and Wayne Rooney added a second goal in the 77th to take United into 11th place in the Premier League.

Styles has contacted Bolton privately to apologize but may still be suspended by the referees’ association from next week’s matches. Samuel had won the ball but Ronaldo tumbled over his outstretched leg and Styles gave a penalty to the disbelief of the home fans and players.

Styles apologized publicly last season for mistakenly giving a penalty to Chelsea against Liverpool.—AP