Lack of class?
Unless you’re a supporter of one of the team’s chasing Leicester City in the Premier League title race, it’s difficult to not wish them well.
Yes, they’ve rode their luck at times, and the other ‘big’ teams have underperformed, but their efforts deserve respect and appreciation.
However, instead of admiring the skill of Riyad Mahrez, and the industry of N’Golo Kante, Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew seems strangely bitter about Leicester’s incredible season, in a way possibly only Alan Pardew could.
In his programme notes for Palace’s game against the Foxes at Shelhurst Park, Pardew writes: “Unlike Leicester we have been unfortunate to lose key players for long periods,” and “Today’s opponents have been awarded 10 penalties this season, which is double the total of any other team.”
While on the topic of penalties, Pardew took aim at Jamie Carragher’s analysis of the late penalty awarded against Palace in their last home game against Liverpool.
Christian Benteke was adjudged to have been fouled by Damien Delaney, and Pardew, in addition to being unhappy with the decision, didn’t like Carragher’s analysis of the incident on Sky Sports.
“What annoyed me most were Jamie Carragher’s strong comments after the game stating that Christian Benteke was right to go down and win the penalty,” Pardew writes.
“I couldn’t disagree more with those sentiments and it is a shame that so many former and current players share his opinion that diving is a valid tactic.”
“Would Carragher have had the same opinion if Wilf (Wilfried Zaha) had gone down in the box in the 94th minute of a massive game at Anfield? I suspect not, but loyalties can blur opinions at times.”
Sachin Nakrani
