‘Everyone makes mistakes’ – Eberechi Eze defends referee Samuel Barrott after having controversial goal ruled out

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has accepted referee Samuel Barrott’s apology after having an exquisite free-kick ruled out.

The England international thought he had broken the deadlock from 30 yards out against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

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Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken was expecting Eze to whip in a cross from the right flank, only for the 26-year-old to catch him out by firing in off the near post.

However the whistle had gone before the ball could even hit the back of the net as Barrott blew for a foul on Brentford defender Nathan Collins from Will Hughes.

But despite replays showing there to be minimal contact between the pair, due to the whistle being blown, VAR was unable to overturn the original on-field decision and award the goal.

Palace’s fury over the decision was compounded when Brentford took the lead through Bryan Mbuemo moments later.

Despite Oliver Glasner’s side equalising after the break, it was Thomas Frank’s side who claimed all three points thanks to a fortuitous Yoane Wissa winner in the 76th minute.

And while Eze expressed his disappointment over the 2-1 defeat, he insisted that ‘everyone makes mistakes’ as he defended Barrott over his controversial call.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Eze said: “It was just one of those games, if we had got one, I think we could have gone on and got more, but we needed to get the second goal.

“They are a good team and made it difficult for us at times, but just one of those games.

“The referee said he blew too early and made a mistake, so fair enough, everyone makes mistakes.

“But that was a goal that could have made the difference today.

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“A little bit [hard done by] because as he said, it was a mistake.

“But listen, we had so many other chances to score today, especially me, so one of those days and we just move on to the next one.

“We know that if we play like we did today and keep creating chances, we will score more goals and beat teams by a lot of goals.

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“We do have to work a bit on the counter-attack as that is what they worked at and caused us problems.

“But we put in a decent performance today and I am sure it will come good.”

Attention for Palace will now turn towards another London derby with West Ham to travel to Selhurst Park next Saturday.

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