‘That’s an absolute disgrace… he was two inches off the line’: Gary Neville says Crystal Palace penalty award for handball was ‘nonsense’ – and FUMES at decision for it to be re-taken after David De Gea was deemed to be off his line
- Manchester United fell to a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in their opening game
- There was controversy surrounding Palace’s second goal of the match
- They were awarded a penalty for a hand-ball given by VAR on Victor Lindelof
- Jordan Ayew missed the penalty, but David De Gea was deemed off his line
- Wilfried Zaha stepped up the second time and made no mistake to make it 2-0
Gary Neville has fumed after Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty for handball, which was then re-taken after David De Gea was seen to be off his line.
The incident happened in the second-half as Crystal Palace were 1-0 up as Jordan Ayew kicked the ball off the arm of Victor Lindelof.
The incident was investigated by VAR who decided to award the penalty.
Referee Martin Atkinson gave a penalty for a handball on Victor Lindelof after a VAR review
Gary Neville criticed the decision saying the defender could not have done anything
Jordan Ayew’s tame penalty was saved but David De Gea was deemed to have been off his line
Former United player Gary Neville was amazed at the decision to investigate the a possible handball and to award the penalty.
He said: ‘Ayew scoops it up against Lindelof’s arm – I’ll be absolutely amazed, I’d be devastated if I had a penalty given against me for that.
‘His arm’s moved with his running action. I thought that Leeds one last week at Anfield was nonsense and I think this one is equally so.
‘Absolutely no chance is that a penalty, never in a million years. Not a chance he’s not got a clue that has happened so quick running back defending one-on-one. In the swing of the game Crystal Palace deserve to be 2-0 but the way it’s happening is the problem. Roy Hodgson would think it’s nonsense at all.’
Jordan Ayew stepped up to take the penalty but his weak shot was comfortably saved by De Gea.
Though half a minute after the penalty was missed, the referee stopped play to re-award the penalty after De Gea was inches off his line.
Wilfried Zaha stepped up on the second effort and converted to then put Palace 2-0 in front
Gary Neville called the penalty decision ‘nonsense’ and the decision to retake it a ‘disgrace’
Neville said: ‘That’s an absolute disgrace he was what two inches off the line. We’re talking millimetres that is unbelievable. I understand if they gain a yard or two yards.’
‘Crystal Palace have been far better and Manchester United have been nowhere near their sharpness. But their has been a element of good luck, the penalty was not a penalty and the re-take was nonsense, but Man United have been well short.
Wilfried Zaha stepped up instead of Ayew and smashed the ball home to make it 2-0.
Donny van de Beek got his first goal for the club to make it 2-1 before Zaha added a third.
Fans took to social media to give their opinion on the matter with many Manchester United fans angry at the decision to award a penalty.
Conor McLarnon tweeted: ‘If anyone thinks that’s a penalty they simply have no basic understanding of the game. Never ever a penalty at any level. Shocking.’
Campbell Preston commented: ‘His arm is not in an unnatural position, it’s in front of him because he’s running. You can’t run with your arms pinned to your side.’
Jon Batham also criticised the decision saying: ‘Palace thoroughly deserved to win, but this pen decision like the one at Liverpool last week was laughable. We’ll have 100’s of penalties a week unless the new rule is changed. And the retake means no penalties will be saved because everyone that is will be retaken.’
Robbie Davey disagreed however tweeting: ‘It’s harsh but it is the correct decision because of the new rules. Same with the retake, he may have been an inch off his line, but in the rules he’s not allowed to be off his line at all.’