Palace left fuming over Coleman’s late winner
THERE was huge controversy attached to Everton’s late winner at Selhurst Park as Séamus Coleman struck while Crystal Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp was down clutching his calf at the opposite end.
However, rewind just a few seconds and you’ll see the winger bump himself onto the pitch in a cheeky attempt to get play stopped.
Likewise, Palace boss Sam Allardyce believed Republic of Ireland captain Coleman was offside when he collected Tom Davies’ pass.
It was this match’s pivotal moment — Coleman’s goal arrived at the side Schlupp would have been guarding.
So, should referee Anthony Taylor have stopped play? Perhaps. Should Coleman have been flagged offside? Maybe.
Were Everton worthy winners? Absolutely.
Everton should have been out of sight by the time Coleman hit his 87th minute thunderbolt past Wayne Hennessey.
Anyone suggesting Palace were hard done by is clutching at straws. More performances like this and Palace will do well to clutch on to their Premier League status.
‘We were done by our own downfall,’ said Allardyce. ‘Schlupp did well against Coleman but wasn’t there for the goal.
‘And now I’m told by one of the Sky TV guys it was offside. It’s an easy one for the assistant referee, it was right down his side. If Jeff was on I don’t think Coleman would have been in that position.
‘The referee should have let us get a sub on. We were at a disadvantage through no fault of our own. I don’t think Everton have any responsibility to kick the ball out — it’s up to the referee.
‘Dropping into the bottom three doesn’t make any difference, it’s irrelevant. What you have to do is win points when you play games.’
Swansea’s shock win at Anfield dragged Palace into the drop zone before they even kicked a ball in anger.
Christian Benteke rattled the bar with a firm header after eight minutes, but that was as good as it got for Palace in the first half as Everton dominated.
Wayne Hennessey made a string of saves, and the chances kept coming for Everton after the break; Barkley twice firing narrowly wide before Hennessey stopped his dipping shot in the 57th minute, before Coleman struck to claim all three points.