Oliver Glasner criticised three decisions by referee Darren England in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 defeat against Chelsea.
However, instead of blaming the referee for Palace’s eleventh game without a victory, the Palace boss urged his side to take a look in the mirror.
Chelsea’s third goal was courtesy of an Enzo Fernández penalty in the 64th minute, awarded after Joao Pedro’s shot from close range struck the arm of Jaydee Canvot.
England was called to the monitor — having not initially awarded a penalty — but altered his decision and awarded a spot-kick for the Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity, even though the ball struck Canvot’s body first.
Things went from bad to worse for Palace when Adam Wharton was given a second yellow card for a late lunge on Moises Caicedo — it was the first time Wharton had seen red in his career. Caicedo escaped a second booking himself for a late challenge on Ismaila Sarr in the 32nd minute.
England also missed a red card offence when Pedro Neto lashed out at Sarr in the first half after the Senegal international dispossessed him. His stamp was seemingly unchecked by the Video Assistant Referee.
Despite an afternoon of refereeing blunders, Glasner urged his side to focus on the variables they can affect themselves.
"I could easily blame the referee for a few decisions,” said Glasner. "Caicedo had two fouls in the first half and conceded one yellow. Adam had two and conceded two yellows.
"I watched the penalty back and it hit Jaydee’s hip first. We were briefed before the season that if the ball touches the body first and then hits the hand, it’s not handball.
"Pedro Neto stamped on Ismaila Sarr. VAR has to intervene, it’s a clear stamp – it should have been a red card.
"But, to be honest, it feels wrong to blame the referee because he can’t help us in the future. We can only help ourselves. That’s why I think it’s important to talk about ourselves."
