Why VAR did not overturn Eze's ruled-out free-kick as pundits react

VAR officials could not overturn the call to rule out Eberechi Eze's free-kick durign Crystal Palace's 2-1 loss to Brentford because the referee blew the whistle before the ball entered the goal. 

Palace fans had reason to be aggrieved when Eze's gorgeous free-kick goal, crashing in off the post, was denied due to a scuffle in the box. 

Referee Samuel Barrott felt that Palace's Will Hughes had fouled Nathan Collins and blew for a foul with the ball in mid-flight. 

The decision sparked intense scrutiny at half-time from the Sky Sports pundits who felt, as lots of viewers did, that there had been no foul at all.

'The referee has had a nightmare. He really has. It's a monumental mistake,' said Jamie Redknapp.

'He should just have let it breathe. I'm not even sure it's a foul first and foremost. I feel so sorry for Eze. This is genius what he does here. 

'The referee is just getting too involved. Stay out of it. Let the game breathe. It's a brilliant piece of play.

'He could have blown after if he wanted to but to do it so quickly, I really feel so sorry for Eze. It's a brilliant goal.'

Micah Richards jumped in: 'Collins has got hold of him (Hughes, Eze's team-mate). It's not a foul!' 

After the match he said: 'It's Sam Barrott's first Premier League game. Maybe a little bit excited to get involved. 

'It isn't even that much of a foul to worry about. The referee will learn from it.'

The game was 0-0 at the time but minutes later Bryan Mbeumo would cut inside from the left and curl the ball into the far corner to give Brentford a 1-0 lead. 

Ethan Pinnock's own goal early in the second half saw Palace draw level but Yoane Wissa restored the hosts' lead when he bundled the ball in after 76 minutes.

This was Oliver Glasner's fourth defeat in charge of Palace in 14 games after his revitalising effect in the latter stages of last season after he replaced Roy Hodgson.  

Regarding Ezes's ruled-out strike, the Premier League explained: 'The referee awarded a free-kick to Brentford for a foul by Hughes on Collins. The whistle was blown before the ball entered the goal, so VAR cannot intervene and the referee’s call stands.'