Sunday 30 October 2016 09:35, UK
Alan Pardew believes Andre Marriner should never have been allowed to referee their 4-2 defeat to Liverpool after last season's controversial meeting.
Marriner was in charge at Selhurst Park when Christian Benteke, then at Liverpool, won and converted a dubious late penalty to give Liverpool all three points, and Pardew has challenged Mike Riley (manager of the Professional Game Match Officials) for his decision to allow the official to referee this time around.
"Why was Mike Riley giving him the game today? I can't understand it," said Pardew.
"I don't think Andre Marriner should have reffed this game. He gives the pen last year so we've got a negative in our mind anyway."
The Eagles twice got themselves level with their visitors in a thrilling game at Selhurst Park, and went behind in the 16th minute after Emre Can's shot deflected into the net off captain Scott Dann.
But James McArthur got the hosts level two minutes later after he took advantage of Liverpool's own defensive mishap, before Dejan Lovren put the Reds back ahead not long after.
Midfielder McArthur was there again to equalise for Palace, but they were dealt another blow just before the break as Joel Matip headed home his first Liverpool goal.
Roberto Firmino rounded off the scoring for an impressive Reds outfit in the second half, but Palace had several penalty shouts turned down and Pardew voiced his anger at the refereeing appointment after the game.
Pardew also lamented a number of defensive issues which gifted Liverpool goals from set-pieces, and admitted his side now have work to do to address the problems.
"It was a bit too open for us against a side as good as they were. They kept wriggling out of situations with some brilliant technical play at times but we didn't start as I would have liked," Pardew said.
"We didn't have enough pressure at the top of the pitch and their two centre-halves had too much time, and then we were defending in the last third where they're as good as anyone.
"It was a very difficult half for us but to concede two set plays is unusual for us, and that's something we need to address.
"Sometimes its difficult on the sideline or in the press box to feel what the players are sensing out there, and some of their play was so quick and fast it got us in a negative mindset. We addressed that at half-time and we were a lot higher up the pitch, did a lot better and put the goalie under pressure as we had a lot of opportunities at 3-2.
"McArthur was exceptional today and he didn't deserve to be on the losing team. He scored two goals and his energy level was a positive force for us today.
"However, the back four needs a bit of work and that's something we'll focus on this week."
Crystal Palace remain in 12th place after their third consecutive defeat, but Liverpool have moved level on points with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and Pardew believes they will be close to lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
He said: "They're certainly going to be close. Their two centre halves were terrific today. They took on the challenge of Christian [Benteke] and he had his hands full dealing with those two. That was a really interesting battle because that's an area where Liverpool have not been strong."
