Arsenal and Man Utd target slammed over ‘petulant’ incident during FA Cup clash | Football

Adam Wharton was slammed over a ‘petulant’ incident during Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Fulham on Saturday.

Palace became the first team to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with Eberechi Eze inspiring them to a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.

Just days after netting his first England goal, the attacking midfielder opened the scoring with a stunning curling effort before brilliantly assisting Ismaila Sarr just four minutes later.

Eddie Nketiah added the third goal late on but the game did not begin well for the Eagles, with Fulham initially overwhelming their defence and midfield, with Wharton in particular struggling.

The defensive midfielder made a number of rash fouls and was correctly booked for bringing down Willian after just 14 minutes.

But he could have been shown a second yellow or even a straight red card just moments later after appearing to kick out at Rodrigo Muniz, with several Fulham players left fuming with the 21-year-old.

While Darrren England did blow for a foul, no further action was taken by the referee or VAR, with Palace going onto score the first two goals before the break.

Former Fulham and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was not impressed, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I think Wharton has lashed out a little bit there.

‘He clearly kicks out at him. It seems a petulant swing and I think that is the only reason he has got away with that.

‘I think he is very fortunate that they haven’t taken it any further.’

It was later confirmed that VAR did not give a red as the foul did not reach the threshold of ‘violent conduct’, though the referee could still have given a second yellow.

Speaking on ITV, Palace and Arsenal legend Ian Wright agreed that Wharton was ‘very fortunate’ to still be on the pitch: ‘It is risky.

‘I think he is very fortunate that the laws are so complicated. [VAR] can’t look at that for some reason.

‘You could probably get booked for that. He is very fortunate to get away with that because he has kicked out at him. It’s not violent conduct but he’s clipped him.

‘I’m pleased for him. Hopefully he’ll up his level now and finish the game but he’s close.’

Following the incident, Wharton’s performance did indeed improve greatly before he was subbed off in the 70th minute and replaced by Daichi Kamada.

Wharton has enjoyed a meteoric rise since moving to Selhurst Park last year and was included in the England squad for Euro 2024, though he has only been capped once so far.

His form has seen him linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid though Palace would demand at least £70million for the ex-Blackburn Rovers star.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Two Arsenal stars face axe if Mikel Arteta signs £48m Spain international

MORE: What TV channels are the FA Cup quarter-final games on this weekend? Full BBC and ITV schedule

MORE: Dietmar Hamann says Everton fans would ‘understand’ if £80m star joined Liverpool over Man Utd