CRYSTAL PALACE 1
EVERTON 2
Kouyate (26)
Calvert-lewin (10), Richarlison (40, pen)
Roy Hodgson labelled the handball rule “nonsense” after he watched Crystal Palace lose at home to Everton due to Richarlison’s 40th-minute penalty
Joel Ward was punished after the ball hit his hand inside the area from Lucas Digne’s header, but only after the video assistant referee gave the power back to the referee at Selhurst Park.
Kevin Friend awarded the Toffees a spotkick after he used the pitchside monitor and it proved decisive after Cheikhou Kouyate had cancelled out Dominic Calvert-lewin’s opener for the visitors in the capital.
Even though Palace benefited from a similar decision last weekend away to Manchester United, the Eagles manager criticised the handball rule and highlighted another penalty given earlier in the day for the Red Devils at Brighton.
Hodgson insisted: “I criticised it last week if you remember correctly. I said that wasn’t a penalty.
“I didn’t think this one was a penalty and I don’t think the game I watched on TV before this one started – when Neal Maupay was adjudged to have handled the ball – was a penalty. I think it is a nonsense.
“I think it is a nonsense when we get one and a nonsense when we get one against us and it is only serving a purpose for you guys (in the media).
“Obviously discussions and dramatic moments are what keep your work in full swing, but for us in football I find it very disappointing that the game I love and believe in is being reduced to this level.
“Every week games are being decided on so-called penalty decisions for handball which are definitely not handball” he added.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti saw his team make it five straight wins in all competitions this season, but was not completely satisfied with the display at Selhurst Park.
“The performance was difficult,” the Italian admitted, despite guiding the Toffees to the top of the table.
“We had difficulties. The game in the first half was quite good and we were able to play how we wanted, the second half was more difficult because Crystal Palace played a good second half and put a lot of pressure on us,” he said.