Crystal Palace fans were left fuming as a promising performance against Liverpool ended in defeat in controversial circumstances.
Palace were leading 1-0 before Jordan Ayew was dismissed for a second yellow card, with Liverpool equalising a minute later, and then scoring an injury-time winner.
The Ayew red card clearly had a game-changing impact, and it was an outrageous decision in the eyes of Crystal Palace fans, as well as pundits covering the game.
Ayew was on a yellow card before he brought down Harvey Elliott in a soft foul in the 75th minute, and there was surprise all around Selhurst Park as referee Andew Madley dismissed him.
Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on Jordan Ayew red card
Speaking to Sky Sports News, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher admitted that he did not believe the correct decision was made over Ayew’s dismissal.
“I thought not [a second booking],” he stated.
“All I can think is the referee thinks Ayew is breaking a promising attack, which he’s not.”
Ayew’s first booking was also debatable, as he received a caution in the 60th minute for standing too close to Virgil van Dijk on a free kick, but this second one was the most controversial decision in the game, and Palace have now also been fined for picking up eight yellow cards.
Crystal Palace’s Liverpool frustration
The result against Liverpool was a particularly brutal one for Roy Hodgson, as he finds himself under pressure after a run of just one win in eight games.
Palace were good value for their lead, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty giving them the advantage as they were also the better team for most of the game.
If Ayew had not been sent off, then Palace arguably could have gained at least a point, if not all three, as they were fairly comfortable with 11 men.
Palace face Brighton and Manchester City in the coming weeks as the desperation for a win increases, and whilst there were promising signs against Liverpool, there is still increasing pressure on the team to start picking up points.
