Referee Martin Atkinson was the target of scathing criticism from a large number of Crystal Palace fans during and after the Eagles’ 0-0 draw at Watford earlier today.
Wilfried Zaha came in for some rough treatment from the Hornets, with six fouls given for challenges on the Ivorian, who was the most fouled player at Vicarage Road this afternoon. [via WhoScored]
Although the 27-year-old “endured a difficult and physical afternoon”, in the words of BBC reporter Mantej Mann, he ended up being booked for a tangle with Christian Kabasele in the first half.
A video clip shared by @footballdaily on Twitter showed Zaha’s frustration with Atkinson immediately after the final whistle blew.
The match report on Sky Sports noted that the Eagles forward was “frequently being floored with tactical fouls from Watford, which resulted in several heated exchanges throughout the game”, while The Athletic‘s Matt Woosnam reported that he has now been fouled more than 500 times in the Premier League.
Atkinson gave 16 fouls against Crystal Palace and booked James Tomkins as well as Zaha in a sometimes tempestuous affair at Vicarage Road.
These Crystal Palace fans on Twitter vented their fury at Atkinson’s refereeing performance today:
I don’t quite understand what Atkinson is trying to achieve with this agenda against Zaha. There’s no reason to hate him because the home fans do.
— Sam (@SWPalace) December 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheEaglesBeak/status/1203343346648977408
https://twitter.com/xxmcwizardxx/status/1203357329128706048
https://twitter.com/Phillyconcarne/status/1203340888312823808
How can this be a booking for Zaha. Martin Atkinson please explain ? pic.twitter.com/RAux2YWE8G
— Paul Jeeves (@PJeevesie) December 7, 2019
Martin Atkinson feel hook, line and sinker for the home tactics today. Awful ref #cpfc
— Gary Byfield (@GaryBizzle) December 7, 2019
If I was as bad at my job as Martin Atkinson, I’d be unemployable. Absolutely abysmal referee. #cpfc
— Sam Hesketh (@abjekt) December 7, 2019
Do you think Atkinson had a poor game today? Does Zaha need greater protection from referees? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
