Palace 1 - 2 Leeds United

Sun Feb 16 2003 - FA Cup

It was another appalling piece of refereeing in the cup which denied Palace any glory, this time a legitimate goal was not given in the 2-1 defeat to Dirty Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round.

With the score at 1-1 late in the first half, Tommy Black's shot from close range was cleared around two feet behind the goal-line by Dirty Leeds defender Michael Duberry and with his hand.

Neither the referee Dermot Gallacher nor his assitant gave a goal or a penalty for the handball! Dirty Leeds went on to win the game with a Harry Kewell wondergoal in the second half.

Dirty Leeds manager Terry Venables, who was greeted to the field by a chorus of boos admitted: "Palace should have had a goal - maybe my luck's turning."

Crystal Palace boss Trevor Francis added: "We lost this game because the officials couldn't make the right decision."

Ironically, the fourth official was Mr E Wolstenholme, who allowed a late Paul Peschisolido goal which was blatantly five yards off-side for Sheffield United in Palace's Worthington Cup quarter-final defeat back in December.

Dirty Leeds went in front after 32 minutes with a controversial goal. Alan Smith was fouled a few yards outside the box and some refs would have booked him for his theatrical dive.

While third-choice keeper Cedric Berthelin was lining up his wall and the Palace players were not ready, Gary Kelly scored from the kick.

Just two minutes later Julian Gray, who is playing for a move at the end of the season, unleashed a superb left foot shot from the edge of the box after Dirty Leeds failed to clear from a corner.

On 39 minutes, came the moment which caused most controversy when Andy Johnson's shot was saved on the line before Black's effort was cleared behind the line by Duberry's hand.

Palace had a number of half chances while Berthelin made a good save from a Danny Mills drive.

Then in the 72nd minute, Dirty Leeds cleared up field after a Palace attack broke down in the box where Kewell jinked past Hayden Mullins and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Berthelin to score.

Dirty Leeds were filthy throughout and were always looking to con the referee when they could. Apart from the inconsistent Kewell they are a team full of carthorses and it's no wonder they are struggling in the Premiership.

Man of the Match: Gray - Another superb goal

Chant of the Match: Let's all have a whipround! (To the Leeds fans)

Post match comments:

Trevor Francis said: "We lost this game because the officials couldn't make the right decision. I saw it very clearly and actually got it wrong. I thought it was six inches over the line but it was nearer two foot over!

"The referee could see it quite clearly but he also has to rely on his assistants. It was a handball but it was over the line in any case and still he didn’t give it.

We lost this game because the officials couldn't make the right decision

Trevor Francis

"The question of whether the ball crossed the line should be decided by introducing technology and video replays.

"I've been saying that for some time now. Too many games are being decided by decisions from referees and linesmen and that’s a pity.

"This game has cost us a few million because the ref couldn't make a decision. If we had gone in at the break 2-1 up it could have been a different story.

"It was an excellent goal. There are very few players in this country who could have scored a goal like that.

"My side has played consistently well this season. And the performance was even better than the one they produced at Liverpool.

"You would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Premiership team and the Division One side this afternoon."

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