Dean Smith insists that his Aston Villa side had a "perfectly good goal" disallowed in the 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this afternoon (Saturday).
Ten-man Villa were denied a point in injury time as substitute Henri Lansbury's late strike was chalked off, with referee Kevin Friend instead blowing his whistle and booking Jack Grealish for a perceived dive in the build-up, awarding a free kick to Palace.
But Smith says that Grealish has every right to be raging about the decision, adding that he was very disappointed that the goal had been ruled out by the officials.
"Good goal, I think everyone else thought it was a good goal, and I can't understand how it hasn't been given," he said in his post-match press conference.
"I always wondered how I would be when the first one went against us, and we are disappointed, because I haven’t seen anything at the time, or watching it back. Jack [Grealish] has got a nudge in the back from [Wilfried] Zaha, and as he offloads it, [Gary] Cahill comes in as well with a challenge as well.
"Simulation no chance. I have been asked if maybe his [Grealish's] reputation goes before him, but he was the most fouled player in the Championship last season, and for me it was a perfectly good goal that has been chalked off. We all know it is a poor decision."
"If I was Jack I would be raging, because he is having his integrity questioned. He has made a great run and laid it off to Henri Lansbury, who scores, and he is having his integrity questioned.
"Jack wasn’t looking for the foul, so that’s what baffles us."
