Bournemouth were held to a stalemate by 10-player Crystal Palace after Chris Richards was controversially sent off at Selhurst Park.

Referee Sam Barrott’s decision to award Palace defender Richards a second yellow card after a tame challenge on Justin Kluivert late in the first half defined what was a disappointing game for both sides in a footballing sense.

Not only was the yellow card soft, but Bournemouth’s Alex Scott had just avoided the same fate following a very similar challenge on Ismaila Sarr when also on a booking.

“That was a minimal touch from Chris Richards,” said Clinton Morrison on Soccer Special. “The consistency from the referee has to be better.”

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was in agreement. “For me, he could have just given a free-kick, manage the game, like the way he managed Scott’s one before because then you’ll upset one team and not the other.

“If you keep them both on the pitch, everybody is happy. For me, he could have managed that better.”

Barrott, who handed out nine bookings at Selhurst Park, then drew the ire of the Palace fans when he chose not to hand Tyler Adams a second yellow for a challenge on Will Hughes which was no less deserving of a caution.

European-chasing Bournemouth failed to take advantage of the player advantage, opening the door for Fulham to go above them into eighth which, if Palace do not win the FA Cup, will be enough for Conference League qualification.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner will be glad his side kept a clean sheet and avoided defeat after conceding 10 goals in heavy losses at Man City and Newcastle over the past week, but their failure to register a shot on target is surely a concern.

More to follow.

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