Andersen off the hook — despite being accused of punching Lerma

CRYSTAL PALACE defender Joachim Andersen is set to escape retrospective action over the incident that left Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma with a broken nose during Saturday’s Premier League meeting.

The pair were involved in an off-the-ball clash midway through the first half of Palace’s 2-0 win, with Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil left furious at a lack of intervention from the VAR after the Eagles centre-back (above) appeared to punch his player in the face.

O’Neil called for further action to be taken against the Dane, but the FA are satisfied that the incident was reviewed by the VAR at the time and, as such, will not get involved.

“Jefferson has broken his nose. It looked like a punch in the face from the footage I saw,” O’Neil said. “It looks like a punch, so I would expect VAR to step in. Jefferson is in a lot of pain and is obviously disappointed he has broken his nose. It should probably be looked at.

“I am not sure what the punishment should be, but a punch in the face is a fairly serious offence.”

The win was Palace’s fifth in eight games since Roy Hodgson’s surprise return to the club, just one fewer than they managed across the first 27 matches of their League campaign.

Eberechi Eze has been one of the chief beneficiaries of Hodgson’s return to Selhurst Park and scored both goals to take his League tally to 10 this season, with six of those having come since the change in the dugout.

“Ebs is quality,” Palace defender Joel Ward said. “It’s incredible what he does on the ball — the way he glides over the pitch is mesmerising.

“He’s taking over control of midfield, too, and linking up well with the front guys. His future will be very bright.”