Match Of The Day pundits believe Knockaert should have been sent-off before 'sublime' winner

Match Of The Day pundits Jermaine Jenas and Ian Wright felt Anthony Knockaert should have been sent off inside a minute of Brighton & Hove Albion's 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Anthony Knockaert celebrates Brighton's win at Crystal Palace. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyAnthony Knockaert celebrates Brighton's win at Crystal Palace. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Anthony Knockaert celebrates Brighton's win at Crystal Palace. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Knockaert caught Palace captain Luka Milivojevic after just 28 seconds as both players slid in for the ball. The French winger was only booked for the challenge and went on to score Brighton's winner after 74 minutes with a stunning shot into the far top corner.

Jenas said: "He probably should have been (sent off). It was 28 seconds into the game.

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"It's started frantic, it's a derby game but I don't care if it's 28 seconds or 28 minutes, the referee should be ready straight away.

"If you have a look at where the ball is and where Knockaert's foot actually goes, it's right over the ball and right into Milivojevic.

"That is a sending off in my opinion.

"On the back of getting away with that, he scores a sublime goal and Chris Hughton is right, he should be doing more of that because he is capable."

Wright added he also thought Knockaert should have seen red for the early challenge.

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Glenn Murray, who scored Brighton's opening goal in the win, was praised for his performance and Wright said: "I thought he was fantastic.

"I know (Florin) Andone got injured for him to get his chance and it was a fantastic finish (for his goal). You can't take anything away from him.

"The way Glenn Murray played today, I'm not sure Andone would have been able to have played as well as he did with the way he kept the ball and kept Brighton moving up the pitch with his experienced play.

"He made sure he got the ball into his team and they kept the ball.

"It was a brilliant performance from him."

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