Fabian Hurzeler criticises ‘unbelievable’ refereeing decision in Brighton defeat
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Fabian Hurzeler was left fuming by an “unbelievable” decision by referee Michael Oliver which he felt cost Brighton in their 3-1 defeat by bitter rivals Crystal Palace. The Seagulls’ unbeaten home record was ended by the team they dislike the most, thanks largely to Ismaila Sarr’s magnificent double.
But it was a controversial moment in the lead-up to Trevoh Chalobah’s opening goal that left Hurzeler livid. The German revealed Oliver admitted he made a mistake after inadvertently blocking Carlos Baleba as Palace broke forward through Eberechi Eze.
The Eagles went on to win a corner, and when Brighton failed to get a head on to Will Hughes’ delivery at the near post, Chalobah reacted quickest to crash the ball into the roof of the net. Hurzeler felt Oliver should have stopped the match, even though Premier League rules state that referees only have to stop play if the ball hits them.
“When the ref says after the game it’s his mistake then I don’t understand why he doesn’t stop the game,” said the Brighton boss. “That’s a decision that’s unbelievable. I asked him. He said ‘it’s my mistake’. “I think we are good in the high press, we would win the ball if he wouldn’t stand there, so it had an impact on the game.
“Not to interrupt the game is something I really don’t understand and there is no explanation for that.”. But there was no doubting Palace’s second goal, just five minutes later, after Tyrick Mitchell shrugged off Tariq Lamptey as both challenged for a high ball down the left.
