‘Harshly treated’ – Roy Hodgson left disappointed by referee’s performance in Palace’s defeat at home to Liverpool

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson felt his side were harshly treated by referee Andy Madley during their 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

Palace were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Virgil van Dijk brought down Odsonne Edouard inside the area – but referee Andy Madley chalked off the spot-kick for Will Hughes fouling Endo in the build-up.

The Eagles took the lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta was brought down inside the area by Jarell Quansah. Play was stopped to allow for a VAR check and the referee pointed to the spot.

Mateta took the spot kick and dispatched an effort beyond Alisson to put Palace ahead.

Jordan Ayew was sent off in the 75th minute for a second yellow card offence, and Liverpool equalised a minute later through Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool took the lead in added time when Harvey Elliot unleashed an effort from distance in the 91st minute and beat substitute goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

Palace were issued with eight yellow cards during the game.

“I was very disappointed,” Hodgson told BBC Sport.

“I thought we were harshly treated. I find it very hard to accept nine yellow cards in the game for so-called fouls that we committed.

“Two of them for kicking the ball away – I don’t see it.

“I thought we did extremely well for the rest of the time with 11 men.

“Unfortunately, when we went down to 10 men, it was going to get a bit harder.

“It cost us and Liverpool scored two goals, 

“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement.

“I told the referee what I felt. I’m not going to repeat it – he might say what I said to him.

“He gave me a yellow card during the course of the game so that might add to the yellow cards counted amongst the nine.

“Today we were hard done by.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD