VAR played a crucial role in preventing Crystal Palace from suffering an even more disastrous defeat against Fulham over the weekend. Despite Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson having goals disallowed for offside and handball, respectively, the Eagles were spared from a humiliating result at Selhurst Park.
Following the 1-0 loss to Fulham, manager Oliver Glasner was left far from pleased with his team’s performance, which now sees Crystal Palace sitting 17th in the Premier League standings. Had it not been for VAR missing a key moment involving Joachim Andersen’s challenge on Jeffrey Schlupp before Fulham’s second goal, the outcome of the game could have been different.
Michael Salisbury and VAR failed to acknowledge Andersen’s tackle on Schlupp, which went unpunished. This controversial decision ultimately dashed any hopes of a late comeback for Crystal Palace, despite some questionable refereeing decisions throughout the match.
While VAR’s oversight was disappointing, Glasner knows that the team’s lackluster display cannot be solely blamed on technology. Injuries to key players like Eberechi Eze and Jefferson Lerma may have contributed to the poor performance, but the overall effort from the squad was not up to standard.
As the season progresses, Glasner will need to address these issues and instill a sense of urgency and determination among his players. With the international break on the horizon, there is an opportunity to regroup and turn things around before the situation worsens further in the Premier League campaign.
