Showing posts with label Crystal Palace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crystal Palace. Show all posts

Monday, 10 December 2018

5 incidents where VAR could have helped officials this season.

Last month the Premier League confirmed clubs have agreed for VAR to be used from next season however that won't help teams that have been denied points that could cost them relegation or a place in the Champions League this campaign.

Following Newcastle United's 2-1 loss, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, Rafael Benítez called for VAR to be "fast-tracked" after his side were denied a penalty and had DeAndre Yedlin sent off.

"If you see the incidents today, it's so obvious, the red card and the elbow in the face of Ayoze Perez. We need VAR right now," he added.

Benítez is not the only manager who has suffered from the lack of VAR, below are five more that have voiced their displeasure.

5. Everton Vs. Watford (December 2018)

Richarlison gave Everton the lead against his former club but during the build up to the goal, Theo Walcott was blatantly offside as he passed to Andre Gomes who cut the ball back to the Brazilian.

The game finished 2-2, Everton equalised in stoppage time, but Watford can feel hard done by as the Toffee's first goal should have been ruled out.

After the game, Watford manager, Javi Gracia said, "I prefer not to say anything about the referees. If VAR was ready the result would have been different."

The win would have sent the Hornets 8th in the league, on the same points as their opponents, but they are 12th.

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4. Liverpool Vs. Fulham (November 2018)

Fulham were bottom of the Premier League heading into this match and would need good fortune if they were going to take any points from Anfield - a ground where they had only won once at since 2012.

They thought they had taken the lead, through Aleksander Mitrovic, but his header was incorrectly disallowed for offside.

To make things worse, Mohamed Salah scored from the quickly taken free-kick, just 13 seconds after the away side had the ball in the Reds net.

Xherden Shaqiri added a second as Fulham struggled to get back into the game.

On Mitrovic's 'goal', Fulham's manager Slavisa Jokanovic said,"When I check the clip now it's Robinson who hasn't done a good enough job to squeeze up and my player is onside.

"In one moment, a crucial moment, instead of 1-0 up we're 1-0 down."

Jurgen Klopp admitted his side were “lucky” to have Mitrovic's 'goal' chalked off but that didn't help Jokanovic who was sacked three day later.


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3. Crystal Palace Vs. Arsenal (October 2018)

The Eagles were flying after a penalty from skipper Luka Milivojevic, on the stroke off half-time had give them the lead, but Arsenal fought back with a great free-kick from Granit Xhaka.

With the games finely poised, Alexandre Lacazette did his best Diego Maradona impression to glance the ball into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who gave the visitors the lead.

The game ended 2-2, Milivojevic scored another penalty, but Palace saw this a two points dropped thanks to a refereeing error.

When asked if Arsenal's second goal should have been ruled out, Palace manager Roy Hodgson replied, "I think so, absolutely. 


"Especially when, from my position on the bench, our players were complaining about the handball involved."
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2. Liverpool Vs. Manchester City (October 2018)

Both teams were unbeaten going into this game, level on 19 points, and they cancelled each other out in a tight contest.

These games are usually defined on fine margins and when Dejan Lovren bundled over Sergio Aguero in the penalty area, City should have been awarded a penalty however referee Martin Atkinson waved play on.

The Citizens did get a penalty later on, Riyad Mahrez skied it but it was the spot-kick that wasn't given that irritated Pep Guardiola.

"I would not like to speak about the referees, about the decisions," he said.

If Manchester City lose out on the league by two points, Guardiola may not be as diplomatic.

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1. Southampton Vs. Watford (November 2018)
Perhaps the most controversial reaction to a decision this season occurred at St. Mary's when Southampton were denied a perfectly good goal by referee's assistant Harry Lennard.

The Saints were winless in seven games but were ahead, thanks to Manolo Gabbiadini, when Charlie Austin thought he double their lead.

However Jose Holebas equalised with nine minutes remaining and the game ended all square.

The fireworks went off after the match when Mark Hughes blamed his teams draw on a “bad mistake” from the match officials.

A furious Austin added, "It's ridiculous, they shouldn't be in the game. We scored a perfectly good goal make it 2-0, the game's done and dusted, we win the game."


Friday, 15 August 2014

Everything you need to know: 2014/15 Premier League preview.

The wait is over, after 97 days the Premier League is back!

Last season was one of the best in it's 22 year history and the 2014/15 season could be even better.

Defending champions Manchester City spent £50 million in pre-season on Bruno Zuculini, Willy Caballero, Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando. Chelsea legend Frank Lampard joined on loan (from New York City FC) and former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna signed on a free transfer. City have never retained the league title in their history and should be considered favorites this season.


Last seasons runners up Liverpool lost their star man and the league's top scorer Luis Suarez to Barcelona, how his replacements get on will determine what kind of campaign they have.

Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic represent good signings but replacing Suarez is a tall order. The Reds are in the Champions League again for the first time since 2009/10 and that fact could have a bearing on where they finish in the league, getting into the top four will be considered a good season for them.

Jose Mourinho has added top quality to his squad in Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. Didier Drogba has come 'home' and the return of Thibaut Courtois (he spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid) is a bonus as Petr Cech showed signs of vulnerability last season. John Terry has signed a contract extension and they won't miss Ashley Cole as Luis Filipe is a class replacement, Chelsea will run Manchester City very close in the title race.


Another pre-season, another captain has departed the FA Cup holders. Thomas Vermaelen has joined Barcelona leaving Arsenal short of defensive cover.

Alexis Sanchez is a great addition and David Ospina will provide competition for Wojciech Szczesny but the lack of a clinical striker needs to be addressed (before the transfer window closes on September 1st) if Arsenal are to win the league for the first time since 2003/04.

The return of Theo Walcott will be a big boost for the Gunners and Mesut Ozil will be better in his second season in the Premier League, a top four place is guaranteed.

All eyes at Goodison Park will be on £28million man Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international has made his loan move from Chelsea permanent and scored 15 goals in 31 games last term.

With a new contract and a World Cup appearance under his belt, Ross Barkley has a big future ahead of him. The 20-year-old possess immense talent and will need to shine if Everton want to improve on their 5th place finish last season.

No £100million spending spree for Tottenham Hotspurs this summer, so it's time for players like Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela to prove their worth. The Lily Whites did splash out £25m on Michael Vorm, Eric Dier, DeAndre Yedlin, Frederico Fazio and Benjamin Stamboli.


Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen had fine seasons last time out and new manager Mauricio Pochettino will hope their form continues. They don't have a big enough squad to compete for both domestic and Europa league's competitions so a FA or League cup win will be a good season for Spurs.

Things can only get better at Manchester United after their abysmal 2013/14 season.

Their new manager Louis van Gaal will hope to restore pride in the Old Trafford dressing room and get the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera are brilliant signings but recruiting  a combative midfielder is a necessity. They also need to sign a center-back or two as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have left.

New captain Wayne Rooney will blossom in the role and a fit Robin van Persie will ensure United will be competitive again.


New manager Ronald Koeman will hope he can keep Southampton in the league after they lost most of their squad during pre-season. Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers are just a few names who departed the Saints but Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand and Florin Gardos are decent replacements.

Stoke achieved their highest ever finish in the Premier League last season (9th) and Mark Hughes will want to build on that. Bojan Kricic can either be the signing of the summer or he will follow the pattern of his career since he was billed as the “next big thing” at Barcelona and be a disappointment.

Alan Pardew will hope to stay out of the limelight in 2014/15. He was banned from stadiums for three games and the touchline for four matches last season after headbutting Hull's David Meyler.

New signings Siem De Jong and Remy Cabella will help fill the void left by Yohan Cabaye's departure in January.


It was a quiet summer for Crystal Palace until Tony Pulis left the club by "mutual consent" on Thursday. It is rumored Pulis left after falling out with chairman Steve Parish over transfers, they have only spent money on two players.

Pulis will be a huge loss to the Eagles, he took over when they were bottom of the league and helped them to a decent 11th place. They might struggle to stay up without his guile and experience.

Swansea's only target for this season will be remaining in the Premier League as they flirted with relegation towards the end of last season.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Baferimbi Gomis are good players but losing Michel Vorm and Michu (on loan) could come back to haunt them, keeping Wilfried Bony at the Liberty is vital to their survival hopes.

After achieving a "miracle" last season to beat the drop, Gus Poyet's Sunderland will hope to move up the table but a repeat of the double over fierce rivals Newcastle will make their fans happy. If he realises his potential, Jack Rodwell will be one of the bargains of the summer.


Speculation was rampant during the summer that West Ham were going to "part company" with manager Sam Allardyce but he stayed. His team are expected to play more entertaining football and the capture of Ecuador's World Cup star Enner Valencia (he scored three goals in Brazil) will help achieve that.

If Ravel Morrison can focus on football he will be an asset to his team and the appointment of Teddy Sheringham as an attacking coach could prove a master stroke. A mid-table finish is in the horizon.

Ron Vlaar's reputation sky rocketed after a fantastic World Cup so it is important Aston Villa keep hold of him.

The additions of experienced campaigners like Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson will add a little nous to Villa's young squad in a season where they may just need it.


New assistant manager Roy Keane will do his best to make sure Villa push for a place in Europe this season.

Hull qualified for Europe for the first time ever last season (FA Cup runners up) and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday.

West Bromwich Albion and promoted teams Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Leicester City will hope to stay in the division.