Video: Referee “nightmare” sees Crystal Palace star’s goal-of-the-season contender chalked off

Crystal Palace are in action against Brentford on Sunday afternoon at the Gtech Stadium and there was controversy in the match as Eberechi Eze had a goal-of-the-season contender ruled out. 

With just over 25 minutes on the clock, the England international produced an outrageous free-kick from long-range catching out Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal. The strike would have been on the goal-of-the-season list at the end of the 2024/25 campaign but it unfortunately did not stand.

Referee Samuel Barrott saw a foul from Will Hughes on Nathan Collins but the decision seemed very harsh as both players had a hold of each other.

The pundits on Sky Sports labelled the call a “nightmare” as it proved to be an unfortunate situation for Eze.

Watch: Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has goal-of-the-season contender ruled out

Eze scores a cheeky freekick but it was ruled out for an infringement in the box! ? pic.twitter.com/wVbXBc1teq

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024

A stunning free kick by Eberechi Eze—but the goal won't stand due to a foul called away from the ball. #BRECRY | ? USA Network pic.twitter.com/yaA493e0Mn

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 18, 2024

If the ref didn’t blow his whistle before the ball went in, VAR could have reviewed the incident and overturned the decision, allowing the goal (and shot) to stand

Instead, VAR is powerless because of the premature whistle. Eze ends on 2

Sickening pic.twitter.com/DladMCWJRr

— Sam/FIFA Brit (@FIFABrit) August 18, 2024

Pictures by Sky Sports, NBC Sports and + Foot Direct.