Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler criticized referee Michael Oliver for an “unbelievable” decision during his team’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Although Hurzeler admitted Brighton deserved to lose, he was left stunned by a controversial incident leading to Crystal Palace’s opening goal.
Trevoh Chalobah gave Palace the lead, followed by two goals from Ismaila Sarr. Brighton only managed a consolation goal late on, thanks to an own goal by Marc Guehi.
The frustration stemmed from the build-up to Chalobah’s goal, where referee Michael Oliver accidentally obstructed Brighton’s Carlos Baleba in midfield.
The interference allowed Eberechi Eze to gain possession and start an attack, leading to a corner that resulted in Chalobah’s strike.
Hurzeler revealed post-match that Oliver admitted his positioning error but chose not to stop play. “When the referee says it’s his mistake, I don’t understand why he doesn’t stop the game,” Hurzeler said.
“It’s an unbelievable decision. I asked him, and he admitted it was his mistake. It impacted the game because we would have won the ball back.”
By rule, referees are only required to stop play if they touch the ball, meaning Oliver wasn’t technically obligated to intervene.
Despite his frustrations, Hurzeler conceded that Brighton’s performance wasn’t good enough. “We deserved to lose.
We need to analyze, reflect, and improve,” he added, acknowledging his team’s four-game winless streak.
For Crystal Palace, the victory marked another positive step in their resurgence. Manager Oliver Glasner praised his team’s progress and the fans’ unwavering support.
“We knew this was an important game for our fans, and the players delivered,” Glasner said.
“After a tough start to the season, the fans stood behind us, so this win is like a first Christmas gift for them.”
Glasner praised his squad’s character, highlighting their resilience and ability to capitalize on Brighton’s struggles.
With two wins and three draws in their last five matches, Palace’s fortunes appear to be turning around.
Brighton, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks as they head into a crucial stretch of the season.