Just in: Former England star in agreement with Crystal Palace
Aston Villa achieved a victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, however, the outcome was not without controversy.
The controversial decision to award Aston Villa a penalty against Crystal Palace at the end of the first half of the match was a major talking point of the weekend’s Premier League action, and caused a great deal of controversy among the Eagles’ supporters. The visitors had taken the lead at the start of the second half, and it seemed as though they would secure a victory. However, in stoppage time, Aston Villa were awarded a penalty due to an infringement committed by Chris Richards, resulting in the goal being conceded. The penalty was awarded to Aston Villa, who were awarded the point.
In the second half, Leon Bailey made it 3-1 for the hosts, however, the awarding of the penalty was a cause for concern for Palace supporters, as it took nearly four minutes for Luiz to take the penalty after VAR instructed referee Darren England to review the call, having initially pointed to the spot.
Following Roy Hodgson’s absence from the match due to illness, Paddy McCarthy’s first team coach commented on the decision, expressing his disappointment that the goal had been conceded in a controversial situation. “It’s a shame that it took five minutes to make the decision that tells you all you need to know,” McCarthy said. “I’ve asked people in the studio to come and have a look, and whatever they’ve seen on the monitor, it hasn’t changed my opinion. It looks like Richards had plenty of contact in his tackle, and there was some agreement from some of the more prominent pundits that Villa had got away with one. I don’t think it was a complete blunder, but I think it’s a tough one for Crystal Palace. Sometimes you just need a little luck.”
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Dean Henderson fee emerges after Nottingham Forest and Man Utd transfer saga
Crystal Palace paid only £15million for Dean Henderson as the goalkeeper’s expected return to Nottingham Forest saw him end up moving to Selhurst Park.
The 26-year-old helped Forest stay in the Premier League during a productive loan spell last season and it seemed Man Utd would be willing to sanction a permanent transfer.
However, the clubs couldn’t agree the terms of a full deal and eventually the Reds turned their attention elsewhere, with Matt Turner arriving from Arsenal and Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica.
That left Henderson to look for options elsewhere – and it has emerged Palace stumped up just £15m. However, The Sun reporter Alan Nixon claims they might have to fork out another £5m as part of a package of add-ons.
Nixon says the Forest deal fell through after the Reds ‘haggled’ over a loan with a view to buy. Henderson has yet to play for Palace, with Sam Johnstone the Eagles’ No. 1.
Turner has started well for Forest, with Vlachodimos putting the pressure on and Steve Cooper saying: “There’s great competition, it’s a really competitive area of the pitch now. We’ve got the competition we want in every area, really.
“It’s always a specific question where goalkeepers are concerned, but you can look at players in every position and see how there is the same competition. It’s really healthy. Danny Alcock, the goalkeeping coach, has got his group in a place where they have really got to push now. We’re really pleased with everyone.”
Forest also have Wayne Hennessey but did not name Ethan Horvath in their Premier League squad.
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