Derby County’s Tom Huddlestone spoke of his surprise and relief that pitchside VAR was used in his side’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace.
The Rams booked their place in the Fourth-Round draw thanks to Chris Martin’s goal on 32 minutes, but it was the flashpoint on the hour between Huddlestone and Eagles captain Luka Milivojevic that stole the headlines.
For the first time in English football this season, referee Michael Oliver used a pitchside monitor to review the incident which he had initially given both men a yellow card.
After viewing the flare up where Milivojevic thrust his head towards the Derby midfielder, Oliver gave Palace’s skipper his marching orders, a fair outcome according to Huddlestone.
“With their captain, he had left a few late ones on myself and a few other lads and he half tried it again,” he told Rams TV.
“At the time it felt like he kicked out when he was on the floor.
“I didn’t think it was anything worse, but I think I have a little scratch somewhere.
“Then he seemed to try a headbutt.
“It was strange the VAR had a look and gave us both a yellow card and I felt that was harsh and it should have been a red for him, but then the referee finally checked the monitor himself and made his own decision.”
There have been mixed reactions to VAR this season, with Premier League action being reviewed by a team of officials in Stockley Park, West London.
The FA Cup contest however allowed Oliver the review the footage himself, a better scenario according to the former Tottenham man.
“We have the VAR situation where they have not seen it initially, but I think it is a better solution for the referee to have a look himself.
“It is still only one person rather than it transmitted miles away and somebody else takes centre stage.
“It did seem to take an age, but apart from my yellow, the right decision was made in the end.”
The FA Cup Fourth Round draw takes place tonight.
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