Jefferson Lerma suffers broken nose after "significant blow with closed fists"

13 May 2023 , 18:44

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Jefferson Lerma was "punched" in Bournemouth's defeat to Crystal Palace (Image: Getty Images)

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil accused Crystal Palace star Joachim Andersen of “punching” Jefferson Lerma after the Colombian suffered a broken nose.

The two sides faced off on Saturday afternoon with both aiming to climb further up the Premier League table after securing safety over the last few weeks. Roy Hodgson's men eventually ran out victors thanks to two brilliant strikes from Eberechi Eze.

Whilst Cherries head coach O’Neil was left frustrated by the manner of his side’s defeat, he was also furious at an incident involving midfielder Lerma and Palace defender Andersen. As the hosts attempted to defend a ball into their box, it appeared as though the Dane’s hand made contact with the Bournemouth star’s face.

VAR did take a look at the incident but neither a penalty nor further punishment for Andersen were forthcoming - a decision that incensed O’Neil.

Speaking at full-time, he said: “Andersen punched Lerma in the face, Jefferson has a broken nose. I'm not sure what we have to do to get a penalty. It's difficult on the pitch to see that, but I have no idea how VAR can give it as check complete.

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"He [Lerma] was in pain, his nose is broken, it was a strange incident. But there are other things I need to talk about. A penalty could have made a difference but Palace were far better."

Jefferson Lerma apparently had his nose broken against Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

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O’Neil added: “It was a significant blow to Jefferson’s face with closed fists,” before confirming that he would be talking to PGMOL chief Howard Webb next week for specific reasons as to why his side were not awarded a penalty.

Should the referee’s chiefs take a look at the incident once more, Andersen could potentially be dealt a three-match ban due to violent conduct. That however seems unlikely given that officials have already reviewed the incident.

Amid his complaints, O’Neil will be aiming to get the Cherries back on track over the closing two matches of the campaign. They take on Manchester United on the South Coast before rounding off their season against Everton at Goodison Park on the last day.

Speaking further on the defeat to Palace, he said: “We were really poor today. I think we dropped below our level for the first time in a while. From a human point of view, 39 points is a good tally.

“But a good lesson for everybody involved that if we’re not desperate and we’re not at 120 per cent like we have been recently and fighting for every single ball and every single point and you drop your levels slightly against a good Crystal Palace side, you get well beaten.”

Daniel Orme