A fresh debate has hit the Premier League again, and this time it comes from Crystal Palace’s penalty against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
The moment caused big arguments across TV studios, social media, and fan groups.
Even the experts could not agree. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said the call was right, but Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd said it was a clear mistake and should never have been retaken.
With United winning the match 2-1 after a strong second-half comeback, the controversial penalty has become one of the main talking points of the weekend.
The Penalty Incident: What Actually Happened
The drama started in the first half when Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta went down inside the United box after a challenge by Leny Yoro. Referee Rob Jones didn’t hesitate and pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Mateta stepped up with confidence. His first penalty sent United keeper Senne Lammens the wrong way, and the ball hit the bottom left corner. Palace fans celebrated, players ran back, and everyone thought the goal was done.
But then VAR stepped in. Officials watching from the booth saw something unusual.
Replays showed Mateta had actually touched the ball twice, he struck it with his right foot first, and then the ball unintentionally bounced off his left foot before entering the net.
Under new laws brought into English football after a Champions League incident involving Julian Alvarez, this is not allowed. If a penalty taker hits the ball twice, the goal cannot stand.
Referee Rob Jones was sent to the pitchside monitor. After watching the replay, he cancelled the goal and ordered a retake.
Mateta then took the penalty again and again sent Lammens the wrong way. This time, the goal stood, and Palace went 1-0 up.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Dermot Gallagher: “It’s Only Fair, He Didn’t Mean To Slip”
On Sky Sports’ Ref Watch the next day, Dermot Gallagher was asked for his view. Gallagher said the referee was right to let Mateta retake the penalty.
Gallagher explained that the rule was changed recently to make situations like this more fair.
He said the double touch was accidental, and because the ball still went in, the law now says the kick should be taken again.
Gallagher added:
- “It’s a first in the Premier League.”
- “He didn’t mean to slip.”
- “If he scored, it’s a retake. If he missed, it would be an indirect free-kick.”
He believes the retake was fully fair and correct.
Jay Bothroyd Fires Back: “That’s His Fault, Bad Technique”
Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd took a completely different view. He strongly disagreed with Gallagher’s explanation and said Mateta should have been punished for his mistake.
Bothroyd argued:
- When a player steps up to take a penalty, their technique must be clean.
- If the striker kicks the ball onto their own foot, that is poor execution.
- A player should not be rewarded with a second chance for slipping or miskicking the ball.
His exact words were:
- “I don’t agree with that.”
- “It’s a bad technique.”
- “If you take a bad touch, it’s your fault.”
- “He shouldn’t get the opportunity to take it again.”
Bothroyd’s strong reaction has caused a big split in opinions, especially amongst United supporters who believe the first goal should never have counted—even temporarily.
How It Affected the Game
The penalty gave Palace a 1-0 lead at half-time, and United looked frustrated after the decision. But in the second half, the match changed completely.
Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee stepped up with big performances, scoring the goals that helped United turn the game around and seal a 2-1 win.
The comeback showed strong spirit from Ruben Amorim’s squad, who are trying to climb up the table after an inconsistent start to the season.
United now sit 7th in the Premier League, winning six of their first 13 matches.
Why This Incident Is So Important
Some fans might say it is just one penalty. But moments like this are important for many reasons:
- They affect match outcomes
- They increase pressure on referees
- They fuel debates about new laws in football
- They show how different experts can read the same action in completely different ways
- They influence trust between fans and officials
For Premier League clubs fighting for every point, decisions like this can change momentum for weeks.
Even though United won the match, the penalty debate hasn’t stopped.
Gallagher and Bothroyd are miles apart, fans are arguing online, and the new rule continues to confuse many people.
One thing is clear: in modern football, even the experts don’t always agree, and this incident shows just how complicated the game has become.
This story will continue to be talked about long after the final whistle.
For more Manchester United News, follow us on Facebook for instant updates directly to your phone.
Discover more from MUFCNews
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
