Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew asked the officials to explain why his side had been denied two penalty claims after tonight’s 1-1 draw at Everton.

Romelu Lukaku saw a 21st minute effort hit the post with Wayne Hennessey beaten, but that was as close as either side came in the first half.

Mile Jedinak looked like he had been pulled back in the box by Gareth Barry early in the second period, although referee Craig Pawson failed to spot the foul.

Connor Wickham almost headed into his own net from Ross Barkley’s dangerous free-kick into the Palace box on the hour, instead hitting the woodwork, while only a super stop by Hennessey somehow kept out Tom Cleverley’s volley.

But despite enjoying the best of the chances, it was the home side who found themselves behind on 76 minutes when Scott Dann headed home from Jason Puncheon’s corner.

Lukaku almost drew the Toffees level immediately with a well struck volley which flew past Hennessey but cannoned off the bar.

However, the Belgian striker wasn’t to be denied on 81 minutes when he tapped home after being picked out by the lively Gerard Deulofeu.

But there was controversy as the clock ticked down, as substitute Jordon Mutch went to ground inside the box under a Ramiro Funes Mori challenge.

Again nothing was given, leaving Pardew to reflect on what might have been, even if the Eagles chief accepted a draw was probably the right result overall.

He said: “Certainly I thought the pull on the shirt (Barry on Jedinak) was a penalty from where I was standing. They didn’t see that, the guys.

“I went to see the linesmen at the end of the game, particularly on my side because the second one (Mutch) I think is a penalty as well.

“He has gone to ground on the ball and he has clipped Mutch in the box, so I can’t understand from 12 yards how he can’t give that.

“But listen, you get decisions - sometimes they go with you, sometimes they don’t and we haven’t got them.

“But as I said, I still cannot moan about the result because the result in my opinion was between two great teams in terms of commitment and effort.

“If anyone wants to understand what a Premier League game is about you needed to watch that tonight because there was real high quality and real tough men out there today.”

Tonight’s result lifts Palace up into the top six and Pards felt it was a hard-earned point against in-form opponents.

He explained: “We knew we were playing Everton today in a good place.

“Sometimes during the season you come across teams not quite in the best of form but Everton were really at the top of their game and that showed tonight.

“We really had to hang on at times.

“There was great discipline from the team and yet it was a game we could have won. That’s what makes us the team that we are.

“We defend well and we have quality on the break.”

Having got their noses in front, Pardew also acknowledged a slight sense of disappointment in not being able to hold on to that lead.

“A little bit,” the Selhurst gaffer replied.

“Perhaps with their goal we could have done better but they had worked us hard and we had some tired legs.

“Probably a little bit of tiredness slipped in at that point but on reflection I think a draw is a fair result.

“We are very pleased because obviously it takes us to sixth place with a home game to come and we are going to try and capitalise on that.”

It was certainly a night to remember for Scouser Dann after his earlier goal in the 2-1 win at Liverpool.

Pardew added: “He is having a great season for us and I keep nodding him towards England because not only does he defend very well but of course from set plays he is a big threat, as he showed in the two games in his home town.”

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