Premier League: Neil Warnock frustrated after Crystal Palace defeat to Sunderland

Neil Warnock was left bewildered by the failure of the match officials to make 'major decisions' in Crystal Palace's favour during their 3-1 defeat to Sunderland.

There were less than 30 seconds on the clock at Selhurst Park when Fraizer Campbell raced through and appeared to be caught by Santiago Vergini inside the box.

Referee Phil Dowd was unmoved, though, and also waved away appeals from Wilfried Zaha later in the first half after seeing him tangle with Patrick van Aanholt.

On another night, decisions change games, major decisions. In the last couple of weeks we’ve had major decisions go against us. It does feel cruel.

Warnock believes these crucial calls are going against his side far too often, with Palace’s overall performance on Monday deserving of much more than they got.

He spoke to Sky Sports afterwards and started by reflecting on the incident inside the opening minute.

Warnock said: “I think everybody knows it’s a penalty. The referee didn’t see it, but he’s in a great position.

“We need a bit of luck at the minute. The only chance we’ve got of a penalty is somebody picking the ball up and throwing it at the referee – that’s about the only chance we’ve got.

“It’s so disappointing when you play so well. How we’ve lost that game, I’ll never, ever know.

“Even the second one with Wilfried, it might be on the edge of the box but they give a goal kick. It bewilders me.

“But I thought we were superb tonight. They couldn’t have given any more, the lads. They were brilliant tonight.

“We need to try and make our own luck. We go to Old Trafford on Saturday, we won’t get many decisions there either. It’s difficult. It’s a hard place to go and we need to stand up and be counted.

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“On another night, decisions change games, major decisions. In the last couple of weeks we’ve had major decisions go against us. It does feel cruel.

“I said to the fourth official, ‘How does it feel after the game when you see you’ve made a mistake?’ He said it hurts, so they’ll be one or two people hurting tonight – but none more than my team.”

Warnock added on the frustration Palace are feeling after seeing other incidents, such as a leap by Craig Dawson into goalkeeper Julian Speroni during a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion, continue to cost them: “They get you the points. The assault on Julian at West Brom, I’ll never forget that – we were 2-0 up and cruising. And Wilfried’s penalty there was a certain penalty.

“Tonight, you can’t get a clearer penalty, he’s just taken his legs, the defender. You can see it clearly and the referee is in a great position to give it.

“They are decisions which should be simple at the top class, we’re talking about the Premier League. I don’t understand.

“It’s no good speaking to Mike Riley is it? If you can’t see that Wilfried Zaha got pulled down in the box at West Brom…We were told we should appeal more. Well, I can’t see appealing any more making any difference.

“Then to top it all, we kick the ball out to let their boy have some treatment, which is a nothing challenge, and they go and kick it out for a throw-in. Really respectful that. I think we’re too nice, we’re too honest at the moment.”