DEFENDER Joachim Andersen claimed lady luck wasn’t shining on Crystal Palace during Monday’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal.
Martin Odegaard struck the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 54th minute following a foul by Eagles keeper Sam Johnstone on Eddie Nketiah, although VAR checked first whether Marc Guehi was blocked by Thomas Partey.
The Gunners were reduced to 10 men on 67 minutes when Takehiro Tomiyasu picked up a second yellow card for a challenge on Jordan Ayew.
And while Palace had a numerical advantage for the final stages of the game, it was that earlier contentious penalty award which ultimately separated the two sides.
Danish international Anderson told Premier League Productions: “Sometimes against top teams you need a bit of luck and we didn’t have that today.
“A small moment where we had a little switch off – maybe it’s a foul, I don’t know. I haven’t seen it, but it’s what I’ve been hearing.
“I think the penalty changed the game and we did everything in our power to come back.
“We did really well to do that, but we didn’t create that clear-cut chance to make the equaliser. That’s just unfortunate.
“Everyone gave everything today and you can see in the dressing room people are disappointed and tired.
“In the end, we did what we could do.”
The 27-year-old lamented the fact Palace couldn’t make their extra man count against the Gunners.
“You could see in our game after that we were the only team on the pitch,” explained Anderson.
“We were playing around their box for almost 20 minutes, but we couldn’t create that clear-cut chance.
“That one goal was the difference.”
Eagles manager Roy Hodgson felt his team were unlucky not to claim at least a share of the spoils and questioned the penalty decision based on Partey’s tussle with Guehi in the build-up.
He said: “I would be tempted to say we deserved something from the game.
“When they went down to 10 men we gave it our best shot but they are a top quality team and they were able to defend the efforts we had.
“I think the penalty was a harsh decision but the block on the player who was doing the job of defending – we had a man who was going to make it into that area had he not been blocked.
“It is not totally a case of switching off but you have to give credit to the Arsenal quick thinking and the quality of the pass, but that is why they are where they are.
“There were very few disappointments in the game for me in terms of the Crystal Palace performance.
“On another day I think we would be feeling even happier and proud of ourselves.”
Crystal Palace face another London derby this weekend with a trip west to take on Brentford on Saturday (3pm).
