Following their humiliating 4-1 loss to bitter rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace’s defender Joachim Andersen and other players engaged in physical altercations with the visiting supporters, who were incensed by the Eagles’ on-field performance against the Seagulls.
After captain Lewis Dunk blasted home the first goal three minutes in, Brighton cruised to a rather easy day of Premier League football. Dunk rose above his man with a forceful header. After goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Facundo Buonanotte in the 33rd and 34th minutes, respectively, and a consolation from Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 71st, things became even worse for the visitors.
With six minutes remaining in normal time, Joao Pedro’s well-executed finish at the Amex Stadium sealed the victory. Referee Simon Hooper’s full time whistle signa
lled the beginning of it all, with Andersen at the core of the action and facing the enraged Palace supporters.
Joachim Andersen confronts angered Palace fans
As previously said, unsettling events emerged from the away end of the stadium as the Palace players, led by captain Andersen, who helped Mateta’s goal earlier in the game, went over to thank and clap with their supporters. However, they were welcomed, predictably, with a torrent of abuse from those there.
Throughout the afternoon, Roy Hodgson’s team was not as good as Roberto De Zerbi’s seasoned team, and the score line accurately reflects the mood in Selhurst Park circles right now. Social media footage has surfaced of Andersen quarrelling with the enthusiastic fans before assistant manager Paddy McCarthy dragged him away from the mayhem.
Nonetheless, this is not the first time this season that the 27-year-old defender has traded words with a group of furious Palace fans. The Dane seemed to be sending an X-rated pop in the direction of the enraged supporters after being put to the sword in a 5-0 thrashing against title-challenging Arsenal.
Roy Hodgson defends his side after protests
It was widely assumed going into the season that the Eagles would aim for a top half finish, with players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze leading the charge with Andersen and Marc Guehi closing things down at the back.
It hasn’t been anything like that, though, as they are now in 14th place with 24 points, and they face a real danger of flirting with relegation at the conclusion of the season. In his post-match interview, Hodgson—whose job as Palace manager is in serious jeopardy—was quick to defend his players following their crushing defeat on Saturday afternoon.
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