#3 Officials’ decision making comes under scrutiny
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The game, entertaining though it might have been, was marred by a number of refereeing errors that benefited both sides. Though nobody could argue that United played well enough to take a lead into the second half, the manner in which they earned it will be a focal point of debate.
A teasing free-kick by Juan Mata in first-half stoppage time appeared to be directed towards goal by the hand of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, before Paul Pogba – from an offside position – drove home the loose ball to put the away side 1-0 up.
The linesman’s failure to raise the flag would definitely have incensed Alan Pardew and the Selhurst Park crowd, especially after holding United off for nearly the entire half. Joe Ledley’s handball to deny Marcos Rojo from heading a corner into the box went unnoticed and Juan Mata’s goal moments before he was substituted was incorrectly disallowed for offside.
It was an off day for the referee Craig Pawson and his team of assistants.
