Freedman bemoans pen
Palace boss thinks his side's pen was more of one than Brighton's
Last Updated: February 1, 2012 1:12am
Dougie Freedman: Saw his side held to a 1-1 derby draw with Brighton
Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman bemoaned Brighton's penalty after the 1-1 derby draw, while Gus Poyet felt his side had the better opportunities.
Referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot in the 64th minute when Wilfried Zaha was felled by Will Buckley and Chris Martin slammed home the spot-kick.
But 10 minutes later Attwell adjudged Nathaniel Clyne to have brought down Buckley in the area and Ashley Barnes duly stepped up to grab a point for the Seagulls.
Palace boss Freedman said: "Wilfried felt his back leg had been taken, I think it was more of a penalty than Brighton's was.
"But we gave the referee the opportunity to give a penalty with some sloppy play. We could have defended it better."
That Zaha was even in the starting line-up was a triumph for Freedman, who managed to ward off Bolton's pursuit of the teenager.
But he insisted: "There was never any doubt. I have a wonderful board here who back me and the decisions I make.
"We had a brief conversation and it wasn't the right time for him to go.
"The speculation doesn't affect Wilf, he's a young guy who's more interested in what DVDs to watch."
Poyet reflective
Brighton boss Poyet, who saw his side drop their first points of 2012, believed neither team should have had a spot kick.
"I don't think either of them were penalties, so it's okay," he said with a smile.
He added: "Am I happy with a point? Probably not.
"We had the better opportunities, but it's not about how you play it's about how many goals you score.
"But it was a good derby, we are on a good run and haven't lost for a while."
Poyet also had to fight to keep hold of one of his stars after Cardiff failed in their bid to land winger Craig Noone.
"It's been a nightmare," he admitted.
"But we are delighted Nooney is staying with us. When I heard he was staying it was very good news."
