Liverpool legend Graeme Souness feels the referee made the right decisions over a controversial penalty for Crystal Palace against Manchester United, although he does not agree with the rules.
There was drama at Old Trafford as a penalty was given against Victor Lindelof for handball after referee Martin Atkinson checked with VAR on the screen at the side of the pitch.
There was little the Swedish defender could do about the ball hitting his hand as Jordan Ayew struck a shot from very close range, but it certainly did hit his hand.
Ayew took the penalty himself and it was saved by David De Gea, but the drama was not over as Atkinson blew his whistle and called for the spot-kick to be retaken as the Spanish goalkeeper was off his line.
Replays suggests that he was indeed off his line, although only marginally, and the second time around, Wilfried Zaha stepped up and scored from 12 yards.
Souness would rather the handball rule did not mean that Lindelof gave away a penalty, but he believes the referee correctly implemented the laws of the game.
‘I don’t think that was a penalty, but we have to accept that’s in the rules,’ the Scot told Sky Sports.
‘The new rules tell you that’s a penalty. It’s harsh, it’s unfair, if you canvas every single player, they would not want a penalty given for that.
‘The referee got it right by the modern rules, but I don’t think it’s making the game any better.’
On the penalty being retaken, Souness was clear: ‘That is against the rules and had to be retaken.’
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra agreed that the rules were followed, but is vehemently against the new regulations.
‘Absolutely no penalty,’ said the Frenchman. ‘They deserve to score but if we talk about it, it’s not a penalty.
‘I’m so happy I retired because we keep talking about the VAR. I’ve had enough of the VAR.
‘They just followed the rules but they’re killing the game.’
Goals from Andros Townsend and two from Zaha were enough to give the visiting team the victory, with debutant Donny van de Beek scoring for United.
Far from a smash-and-grab affair, Palace were very impressive and Souness apologised for his pre-game comments about Roy Hodgson’s men playing ‘survival football’.
‘The best team won today,’ he said. ‘I have to apologise to every Crystal Palace supporter today for saying they play survival football. That was not survival football.’
