The FA Cup fourth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest ended in a stalemate at Selhurst Park, but the 0-0 scoreline tells only half the story. The match was utterly dominated by a monumental VAR controversy that has sparked fury from the Championship side and set the stage for a explosive replay.
Forest manager Steve Cooper was left incensed after his side were denied a clear penalty in the second half. A powerful shot from Forest's Philip Zinckernagel struck the outstretched arm of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi from point-blank range. Despite vehement appeals, referee Michael Salisbury was not instructed to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor, a decision that has been labelled as 'baffling' by pundits and fans alike.
The contentious call means the two sides must do it all again at the City Ground, adding another fixture to both teams' congested schedules. For Premier League Palace, it's an unwanted replay as they battle to secure their top-flight status. For Forest, it represents a missed opportunity to grab a famous victory and a chance to continue their cup run on home turf.
Post-Match Fury from Forest Camp
Cooper did not hold back in his post-match assessment, expressing his disbelief and frustration at the officiating. The Forest boss insisted that such a clear error undermines the very purpose of the Video Assistant Referee system, which is meant to correct clear and obvious mistakes.
Palace boss Patrick Vieira, meanwhile, admitted his relief at the decision going his team's way. The Eagles were far from their best and will need a significantly improved performance in the replay if they are to progress to the next round and avoid a major cupset.
What Happens Next?
All eyes will now turn to the replay date, where Forest will be backed by a raucous home crowd. The Championship high-flyers will be confident they can finish the job after more than matching their Premier League opponents in London. This controversy is sure to add an extra layer of intensity to what promises to be a thrilling cup encounter.
