Amid the disappointment of Crystal Palace’s defeat to Everton this weekend, you may have missed Adam Wharton picking up a yellow card in controversial circumstances.
Crystal Palace saw their 19-game unbeaten run come to an end in devastating fashion at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A last-gasp winner from Jack Grealish stole the three points for Everton in what Oliver Glasner described as a painful defeat.
While the result was a bitter blow after 12 games without defeat in the Premier League, many fans are just as frustrated about the fact Adam Wharton was shown a yellow card for what seemed an innocuous challenge.
Here, Mark Clattenburg exclusively tells We Are Palace what he thought of the tackle and explained why the referee made the right call.
- READ MORE: How the Crystal Palace camp feel as Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell overlooked by England
Adam Wharton reprimand shows how the game has changed
In the 81st minute of the game, with the score at 1-1, Wharton put in a strong challenge on Everton’s Idrissa Gueye. At first glance, it looked a robust but fair tackle, but the referee not only blew for a free-kick but also gave Wharton a yellow card.
We asked Clattenburg about this, and he said: “This shows how the game has moved on over the years. Adam Wharton goes into a challenge on Idrissa Gueye and wins the ball. Years ago this type of tackle would have been applauded by all as a great tackle.
“In today’s game, however, playing the ball is not enough and you must keep your opponent’s safety in mind when making such a tackle. Wharton goes in with speed and through his opponent to win the ball and this is a reckless challenge. Therefore, the referee was well within his rights to issue a yellow card.”
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 14 |
| 5 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 13 |
| 6 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 7 |  ChelseaChelsea | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| 8 |  EvertonEverton | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
So, while the hefty challenge may have looked fair from the outside, and no damage was done, the fact that there was potential for harm has now become a major part of the referee’s considerations.
It’s a similar situation to what we saw Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall booked for last weekend. It may feel unfair, but the implications of this new way of thinking do make sense.
Jack Grealish hypes up Crystal Palace star
Despite the booking, Adam Wharton once again proved himself to be one of the most accomplished midfielders in the Premier League this weekend.
Palace fans were drooling after Wharton’s display in Europe in midweek. Now, even Jack Grealish has been praising the young talent.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Grealish insisted Wharton should have been named Player of the Match instead of him.
He said: “It was difficult today against such good players. I think Adam Wharton… I can see the Man of the Match award there and I think that’s coming to me. But I think it should have gone to Adam Wharton. In my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch today.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been urged to sign Wharton recently. If he keeps up this level of performance, Palace will have every top club in Europe knocking on their door for the 21-year-old.
