NO KNEED FOR VIDEO Murray’s touch (without using his hand) sends Seagulls into 4th round
ROY HODGSON was left fuming on the touchline after the video referee failed to come to his rescue as Crystal Palace were dumped out of the FA Cup.
Former Palace striker Glenn Murray got a lastgasp winner for Brighton – and from the sidelines it looked as if he used an arm to push the ball into the net.
Palace boss Hodgson complained bitterly to referee Andre Marriner and fourth official Graham Scott but the video assistant referee (VAR) gave the 87th minute winner the all-clear.
VAR Neil Swarbrick, watching from a TV studio, checked it and insisted the goal was onside and came off Murray’s knee.
It clearly showed that even video technology will not keep everyone happy.
Hodgson said: “It looked for all the world at the time that he hand-balled it, but I am happy to go with the decision.”
Brighton missed a hatful of chances, Palace striker Bakary Sako (above) got a wonder goal of an equaliser and yet Chris Hughton’s won football’s most unlikely rivalry.
A derby which is 46 miles apart from Selhurst Park to the AmEx Stadium and even the most loyal supporters of both clubs struggle to remember what started it all.
Brighton made eight changes as Chris Hughton clearly feels Premier League survival is more important than the FA Cup.
Hughton’s plans nearly went wrong after just six minutes when Izzy Brown hobbled off having injured himself in a fierce 50-50 tackle with Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp.
The Palace man then hobbled off after 13 minutes, still feeling the effects of his tackle with Brown. Brighton were the better team early on and went ahead after 25 minutes when Ezequiel Schelotto did well on the right, fed Dale Stephens and the Brighton captain broke into the box and then blasted a shot past Wayne Hennessey.
The keeper should have saved it, no matter how hard Stephens hit his shot. Maybe that reminded us why Hodgson is keen to bring in another goalie in January.
Schelotto nearly created another after 40 minutes, his cross nearly turned in by Solly March but this time Hennessey was alert at his near post.
But just when you thought Brighton were on their way to Middlesbrough in the fourth round, back came Palace with an absolute wonder goal. Sako got the ball 30 yards out, ran towards goal and then unleashed an unstoppable drive and the ball smashed in off the inside of the post.
Albion substitute Sam Baldock missed two giltedged chances and hit the post while Tomer Hemed and Beram Kayal also wasted a great chance.
It looked to be heading for frustration until the lastgasp winner as Brighton’s Uwe Huenemeier headed on, Murray raced in and bundled over the line to have the final say.