1 week ago
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Crystal Palace fans fumed after hearing Darren England's explanation for awarding Chelsea a penalty in the second-half of their clash at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Blues were already 2-0 up in south London when Joao Pedro was denied by the hand of Jaydee Canvot at point-blank range in the 59th minute of play.
While England initially dismissed appeals for a penalty, VAR made the decision to intervene moments later, asking the official to take a second look at the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
England paused play as he walked over to review the footage, as Chelsea and Crystal Palace players crowded behind him in anticipation.
While Canvot's arm was in a natural position, replays did show Pedro's on-target shot connecting with the arm of the Palace defender, blocking a goal on Chelsea's part.
After a minute or so spent looking at the moment, England returned to the field to announce his decision - awarding Chelsea a spot-kick due to an accidental handball.
He said: "After review, the ball hits Crystal Palace 23. It is an accidental handball, not deliberate, therefore it is a penalty kick.
"However, because it is accidental, it is only a yellow card. Only a yellow card."
A chorus of boos rang out around Selhurst Park from the home support as England made his way over to book Canvot.
Enzo Fernandez then stepped up to meet Dean Henderson at the penalty spot, placing the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal from 12 yards before wheeling off in celebration.
It added further misery to already frustrated Palace fans, given their team's performance on the afternoon. Estevao opened the scoring for Chelsea 34 minutes into play with a remarkable solo goal.
The Brazilian winger capitalised on a loose ball from Canvot in his own half, sprinting toward Palace's box before finishing from close range. Pedro then opened his account for the afternoon five minutes into the second-half, driving with pace on the right-hand side before firing it between the legs of Henderson.
Fernandez then made it 3-0 64 minutes in with his coolly converted penalty. Palace's day went from bad to worse when Adam Wharton picked up a second yellow card with around 20 minutes remaining for a late challenge on Moises Caicedo.
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