Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has criticised the performance of referee Michael Oliver during his side's 4-1 loss to Southampton this afternoon.
The Eagles ended their league campaign with defeat at St Mary's as goals from Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle, Ryan Bertrand and Steven Davis saw Southampton qualify for Europe next season.
Pardew acknowledged that his side didn't deserve to win the match, but believes that they could have nicked a point had Oliver not awarded a penalty for a challenge that appeared to be outside the box.
"I was a bit disappointed with the referee's decisions. The Pelle goal was a definite push [on Adrian Mariappa], and he actually looks round at the ref as if to say 'Did you see it?' And he should have seen it, but he didn't," Pardew told reporters.
"The penalty decision again, which is outside the box, and the linesman overruled him. His gut feeling is it was outside, he stood on the edge of the box for a little while, and the linesman gave that, and he got it wrong.
"The game was really balanced at 2-1, it was really open, a really good game. I'm not making any suggestion we deserved to win, but it certainly could have been tighter and closer, and we could have eked a draw out if we had taken our chances."
Palace, who finish the season in 15th place, will now turn their attentions to the FA Cup final against Manchester United next weekend.
Barney Corkhill
