‘It was a penalty’ – Patrick Vieira has no complaints over late Leeds United spot-kick as Palace head home pointless

Patrick Vieira admitted that referee Kevin Friend made the right call to award Leeds United a match-winning late penalty in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

The Eagles looked set to be heading back to South London with a point until Raphinha converted from the spot in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

Leeds players converged on referee Kevin Friend claiming that Marc Guehi had handballed from a corner kick. VAR flagged it up for the official to review on the pitchside monitor and Leeds’ Brazilian playmaker did the business from the spot.

“If it was the other way I’d expect the referee to give the penalty,” said Vieira. “I had a chance to look at it again. I believe it was a penalty.

“I don’t need to speak to him [Guehi] about it, he’s frustrated. He will learn from that. To learn you have to go through these situations. I’m really pleased with the game he had tonight. Marc is growing as a player and as a person. I’ve been really impressed with his leadership in the squad since he arrived.

“It is a real tough one. We created the most dangerous situations and chances. To lose the game that way is hard to take.”

Palace’s defeats have coincided with the absence of Joachim Andersen and James McArthur. James Tomkins has deputised for Danish centre-back Andersen in the past two fixtures – both losses – while McArthur is sidelined for a number of weeks. Both have hamstring injuries.

Vieira is yet to place a timescale on when Andersen could be back.

“That is part of having a team,” said Vieira. “Players will get injured and suspended. We just have to replace them. When you look at how James Tomkins played tonight, he played fantastically well, defended quite well and brought his experience to the team.

“Losing the game tonight is not about missing players. It was about us not taking our chances.”