Tyrick Mitchell's relieved face said it all. There were 51 minutes on the clock when Mitchell put through his own net against Newcastle United, but VAR came to the Crystal Palace's defender's rescue after Joe Willock was adjudged to have fouled Vicente Guaita in the build-up.
In actual fact, it was Mitchell who pushed Willock into the goalkeeper yet, bizarrely, referee Michael Salisbury reversed his decision after going over to the pitchside monitor during the 0-0 draw at St James' Park. A furious Joelinton could not believe it as stand-in skipper Kieran Trippier ushered his team-mate away so that he could hear Salisbury's explanation.
Eddie Howe felt the officials were 'swayed' by Guaita staying down; Patrick Vieira, for his part, believed it was a 'clear foul' by Willock on Guaita despite Mitchell's push but you would not expect the Crystal Palace boss to say different.
