- Palace penalty was ‘correct’ decision
- Suggestions of refereeing bias from Newcastle fans
- Palace fans rightly aggrieved by multiple decisions
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has shared his thoughts on Crystal Palace’s stoppage-time penalty incident in their 2-1 win over Newcastle United.
The Eagles came from behind to beat the Magpies at Selhurst Park but the visitors felt hard done by. A late penalty was awarded after Sven Botman grabbed hold of Jefferson Lerma’s shirt and pulled him to the ground.
The Incident in Isolation
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch show, Gallagher felt the correct decision was made, despite outrage from Newcastle fans.
“Without doubt [it was a penalty], he grabs hold of his shirt, and once he does that, he’s at risk” Gallagher explained. “He doesn’t need to do it and pulls his shirt. That’s always going to be given. It’s clear. Botman’s holding onto him for too long. It’s a clear penalty.”
That view will come as little surprise to Palace fans, who saw the foul’s clarity instantly. One of the quickest VAR checks of the season followed, and the penalty stood.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta stood up to convert his second penalty in two games, and Newcastle’s fans and players were up in arms.
Whilst the standard of refereeing has been a point of contention in this season, as it is every year, it’s fair to say the officials were given little choice with this one.
The questions about consistency are fair. Many times, in this campaign, we’ve seen players pushed or pulled with more force than Botman exuded, without penalties being awarded. The problem that this causes is that referees shouldn’t be hounded for making the correct decision, but rather the rules and VAR’s implementation of them.
Another Below-Par Performance
Palace’s 2-1 win stirred conversations around the refereeing performance, with Newcastle fans incessant with Daniel Munoz’s avoidance of a booking. The right-back made six fouls without seeing a yellow, Munoz fortunate to escape a booking.
However, the comparisons to Joelinton’s two fouls warranting a booking are rather empty, considering the nature of the Brazilian’s punished foul. A two-footed scissor tackle a foot off the ground earned him his yellow, a correct decision from referee Andy Madley.
There were questionable decisions throughout the game; however, none more so than the call to award Newcastle a free-kick inside their box when Lewis Hall flew across to block Munoz’s volleyed strike. No head injury, no contact between players, yet the referee blew almost instantly.
Secondly, Adam Wharton was punished for a ‘foul’ when he clearly won possession of the ball in the midfield. The English playmaker was so bewildered by the decision he picked the ball up from his feet and shook it in front of his own face.
Finally, when five minutes of additional time were shown, Palace fans became increasingly frustrated as the clock ticked well beyond the 98th minute. Whilst there had been a penalty and a goal, Newcastle were the side to make changes in the dying minutes, and were rewarded for doing so.
Madley had ample chance to call time on the game, but even allowed a final Newcastle corner before eventually blowing his final whistle.
It felt like a pretty standard afternoon in terms of Premier League officiating. Numerous calls that left you questioning your knowledge of the rules but ultimately no true bias to either side.
