Mark Clattenburg apologised after failing to disallow Alexis Sanchez's handball goal

The Chilean quite literally handed the home side the lead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium

Clattenburg in action at the Emirates Stadium (Getty)

Referee Mark Clattenburg apologised to Hull City after Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Arsenal for failing to disallow Alexis Sanchez’s first half goal, manager Marco Silva has confirmed.

The Chilean quite literally handed the home side the lead after the ball appeared to make connection with his right hand from five yards out before making its way into the back of the Hull goal.

The visitors protested but Clattenburg proceeded to award the goal.

Sanchez later went on to add a second in injury time, converting from the spot after Sam Clucas handled the ball inside his own penalty area.

After consulting video replays, Clattenburg apologised to the Hull team.

Hull’s Andy Robertson said: "The referee has apologised to us about the first goal because he's seen it was a hand ball. He wasn't sure at the time.

“At the end of the day the decisions don’t go for you when you come to these big stadiums and that’s killed us because you see the way we were after half time.

"He said he wasn’t 100 per cent sure, obviously we can argue he shouldn’t have given the goal but he can argue he should have.

"Not many referees admit they’re wrong. It's good but it doesn’t make it any better."

Tigers manager Marco Silva confirmed Robertson's statement: “Referee Mark Clattenburg apologised to my players for giving the handball goal from Sanchez."

When asked about the incident, Arsene Wenger said: "We had as well to cope recently... But other goals we conceded like at Man City that nobody said was offside."