Crystal Palace’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest has been overshadowed by debate over the decision to allow Jefferson Lerma’s goal, with Wayne Rooney and several referees questioning whether VAR should have intervened.
Oliver Glasner returned to Selhurst Park for the first time since leaving Palace at the end of last season. The Nottingham Forest manager, who guided the Eagles to FA Cup and Conference League success, saw his side lose after taking an early lead.
Lerma goal leaves Forest questioning VAR decision
Palace’s controversial goal arrived just before half-time. Lerma headed the ball down from a corner, but replays appeared to show the ball changing direction after hitting the elbow of teammate Anan Khalaili before crossing the line.
Wayne Rooney believes VAR got the decision wrong while Dale Johnson, the BBC’s football correspondent, explained why Forest may feel aggrieved.
“A goal cannot be scored if the ball touches the arm, so Forest may believe the goal should have been ruled out,” Johnson said to the BBC. “The VAR determined that there was no conclusive evidence to get involved.
“This will sting for Forest after they had a Neco Williams goal ruled out for handball against Spurs, after he bundled the ball into the net on the goal line.
“There is a case that the evidence was clearer for handball by Khalaili than for Williams, and Forest have been on the wrong end of both.”
Crystal Palace VAR decision explained
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann also felt the footage suggested the ball had touched Khalaili’s arm.
“After several replays, various angles and about 30 minutes of TV analysts magnifying the picture, it does look like Lerma’s header comes off the arm of Khalaili before going into the goal,” Cann said.
However, he added that officials cannot spend too long reviewing an incident if the evidence is not decisive.
“However, to be fair to the VAR, they cannot take this long in their deliberations and if there is not clear, indisputable evidence readily available, they must go with the on-field decision.”
Former FIFA Premier League referee Mark Halsey also believes the ball changed direction after striking Khalaili’s arm. He argued that, under Law 12, a goal resulting from an accidental handball should not stand.
The debate will give Forest more reason to feel hard done by, especially after the earlier controversy involving Williams against Tottenham.
Palace, meanwhile, will take the three points from a 3-1 win, and it will be a sour return for Oliver Glasner.
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