DAMIEN DELANEY TOOK to Instagram to register his disgust at the last-gasp penalty that was awarded against him in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
The Crystal Palace centre-back was adjudged to have fouled Christian Benteke as the striker took the ball around him in the dying moments.
Referee Andre Marriner consulted with his linesman before pointing to the spot.
Benteke stepped up and converted with ease to give the Merseysiders a crucial win and condemn struggling Palace to an eighth loss from their last ten top-flight games.
Delaney felt so aggrieved that he took to social media to outline his feelings on the incident.
“I can honestly say I didn’t make contact with Benteke today and IF there was slight contact, I didn’t impede him and certainly didn’t feel there was enough to award a penalty in the 96th min.
If a penalty is awarded that late, it has to be unequivocal. I waited over an hour to speak with the officials and, in fairness to Andre Marriner, he said he didn’t think it was a penalty but he trusted his linesman that much, he awarded it.
With the way the game was ref’d and the physicality of both teams, it was unbelievably harsh. With how Wilfred (sic) and Yannick were man-handled by Liverpool players over the course of the game – which I’ve no problem with – it was a really tough decision to take so late. All I can do is swallow it and hope to put this right.”
Inevitably, the penalty stoked anger and understanding in equal amounts.
Palace boss Alan Pardew fumed afterwards that Benteke was ‘looking for it’ and ‘made a meal of it’.
His counterpart, Jurgen Klopp, was adamant Marriner had made the right call.
“It was a penalty. It’s an unlucky situation for the defender but his knee hit the foot. That’s how it is. It’s a clear penalty because Christian would have been in a very clear position to shoot.”
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Funny how he’s gone from being labelled as weak and immature to one of uniteds best players.
YESSSSSSSS!!!!
Ronaldo said he was happy at united and was gone the following season,I won’t believe it until he signs a new contract
Suarez, Ronaldo, Bale, Fabregas…………when the Clasico two come in for a player, they will eventually get their man
Signing a new contract means nothing now. It was only last December Suarez signed a long term contract with Liverpool and committed his future to them!
Yeah but our gives you leverage to bargain with but unfortunately player power had gone too far
So that’s confirmed…. He’ll be playing for real next seasom
Great news! Now give him a 6 year contract.
Hopefully we can hold on to him. Madrid and Barcelona usually get there man if they want. Give him a 5 year contract and put a 50m price tag on his head to try and put them off.
He wouldn’t save stamps..