Crystal Palace boss criticises refereeing in Stoke stalemate

By Nick Wright Saturday, January 5, 2013
6:23 PM

Ian Holloway was disappointed with the refereeing in his side’s goalless FA Cup third round stalemate against Stoke City at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles looked the more likely side to get the breakthrough in a tight game with few clear chances.

Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha was forced off with an injury after a late challenge from Stoke’s Ryan Shotton – which went unpunished by referee Neil Swarbrick - but manager Holloway thought poor decisions from the officials affected both sides.

He said: “There were a few strange decisions for both sides today.

“I think there was a booking for Jon Walters that I didn’t think was, and there was a foul on [Zaha] that I thought was, and then Stuart O’Keefe got away with a second one that should have been a yellow, to be honest.”

Zaha needed treatment after Shotton’s tackle late in the first half, and although he reappeared after the break, he hobbled off ten minutes later.

Holloway said: “[Shotton] caught Wilf and Wilf’s had to go off.

“He had crossed it, if we don’t score that’s a foul, isn’t it?”

Despite what looked a worrying knock for the 20-year-old, Holloway was quick to allay fears over a bad injury, saying Zaha will be available for Palace’s next match.

“Wilf will be fine,” he said. “He’s got another foot.”

“He tried to run it off but he also rolled it as it happened.

“We’ll wrap him in cotton wool. He’ll be fit for our next game.”