Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen to escape FA punishment over Jefferson Lerma ‘punch’

The pair were involved in an off-ball clash midway through the first-half of Palace’s 2-0 win, with Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil left furious at a lack of intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after the Eagles centre-back appeared to punch his player in the face.

O’Neil called for further action to be taken against Andersen, but the Football Association (FA) are satisfied that the incident was reviewed by the VAR at the time and, as such, will not get involved.

“Jefferson has broken his nose. It looked like a punch in the face from the footage I saw,” O’Neil said. “It looks like a punch so I would expect VAR to step in. Jefferson is in a lot of pain, and is obviously disappointed he has broken his nose. It should probably be looked at.

“I am not sure what the punishment should be but a punch in the face is a fairly serious offence.”

The win was Palace’s fifth in eight games since interim boss Roy Hodgson’s surprise return to the club, just one fewer than they managed across the first 27 matches of their League campaign under Patrick Vieira.

Eberechi Eze has been one of the chief beneficiaries of Hodgson’s arrival and scored both goals to take his League tally to 10 this season, six of those having come since the change in the dugout.

"Ebs [Eze] is quality," Palace defender Joel Ward said. "It's incredible what he does on the ball - the way he glides over the pitch is mesmerising.

”He's taking over control of midfield too, and linking up well with the front guys. His future will be very bright."