Thomas Partey rode his luck with referee David Coote during Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace.
Liverpool supporters have been left raging by what they feel is evidence of inconsistent officiating during Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace. Gunners midfielder Thomas Partey went unpunished despite asking referee David Coote to yellow card an opponent, with the Reds’ Alexis Mac Allister penalised for exactly the same thing against Chelsea last weekend.
Partey continued in his unfamiliar right-back role at Selhurst Park, although he was often found patrolling the base of midfield when Arsenal had possession. The visitors took the lead shortly after the break when Martin Odegaard converted from the spot.
Takehiro Tomiyasu made it a nervy ending for Mikel Arteta’s side, receiving his second booking with half an hour remaining. But the Gunners held on for the 1-0 victory, making it two wins from two in their quest for the Premier League title.
One player who managed to avoid the referee’s book was Partey, despite the Ghanaian clearly signalling for a yellow card to be given for diving when Eberechi Eze went down in the penalty area.
Referees have sought to clamp down on such gestures in the early stages of this season. Mac Allister found himself on the wrong end of the rule change at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and Liverpool supporters are unhappy that Partey wasn’t given the same treatment.
“Strange how Partey and Odegaard haven’t been booked for asking for a yellow, yet Mac Allister was at Chelsea,” wrote @KaiLFC6 on X. “S*** officiating.”
