Baffled viewers have hit out at ITV after they almost missed Crystal Palace's bizarre third goal during their demolition of Everton at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles have strolled into the semi finals of the FA Cup after Patrick Vieira’s side ran out 4-0 winners over the beleaguered Toffees. First-half goals from Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta had put the hosts in control, before Wilfried Zaha and Will Hughes rounded off the scoring in the closing stages.
And it was Zaha’s strike which left onlookers anguished as the live feed appeared to miss the moment the ball actually crossed the line. The goal came about after Michael Olise’s mishit shot looped over Jordan Pickford, appearing destined to go over the crossbar.
However, at the last moment the ball ducked in and struck the post, with the rebound falling at the feet of the Palace talisman to put the game beyond Everton. But ITV's cameras were almost left red-faced, believing the ball had gone over, instead showing a close shot of Olise.
It then quickly cut back to the main view, just as Zaha’s shot hit the back of the net sparking wild celebrations in the home sections of the crowd. “A crazy goal, I think Olise kicked the ball into himself and it looped up onto the post,” commentator Clive Tyldesley said.
And while the replay showed the goal in its entirety, there were a few watching from home left less than impressed. “Brilliant work from ITV to miss it,” one said, before another added: “Well done for not showing it live.”
Another posted: “We weren't shown the live goal. Are you going to have a word with the programme director?” With a fourth musing: “Did anyone else just see what happened with ITV’s coverage of Zaha’s goal?”
Palace’s dominant victory over Everton ensures they join Chelsea in the final four of the FA Cup and have booked their place in a Wembley semi-final. Thomas Tuchel’s side secured their safe passage with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday evening.
“It’s amazing…it’s crazy that this is the first year we’ve played together as a team. When we have more time to gel we are going to be even better,” Zaha said shortly after the full-time whistle. “It shows the direction we are going. The players we’ve brought in, the way we play, the club is moving in the right direction.”
And Guehi, who capped off a dream week which included a maiden call-up to the England team praised his side’s resilience, in standing up to early Everton pressure to get a foothold in the tie: “I’m really enjoying my football, I've settled in really well, I truly hope we can continue this form. It was a nervy start from myself, but we responded well and we were resilient during the early stages and to not concede.”
