Wednesday 3 December 2014 14:43, UK
Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock blamed Scott Dann for Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, saying his failure to ‘lump the ball into row Z’ proved costly for his Eagles at Selhurst Park.
Dann’s error allowed Christian Benteke to grab his first goal in nine months but the Palace manager did add that the defender otherwise had a good game.
Regarding the 32nd-minute goal, Warnock said: "I think he should have kicked it over the stand and not be ashamed to do it.
"Brede (Hangeland) could have come out as well but these decisions they make, they stand or fall.
"It's unfortunate for Scotty because he's probably been our best player. It's a cruel punishment but hopefully he'll learn by that: You can't score in Row Z can you?
"I can't fault the effort. I thought we started really well, played some good stuff and created some good chances.
"You've got to make your own luck really and we just lacked that little bit of quality.
"I thought Benteke just held them together, it's nice to have that type of player.
"We are disappointed the way the goal was given away and they didn't have to work hard for their goal.
"It just wasn't to be tonight, just the gambling in the box, predators who latch onto knock-downs: They are the ones that count and you've got to take advantage of opportunities like that."
