'It's ruining the game' - Leeds United's Patrick Bamord hits out at VAR following Crystal Palace defeat

Patrick Bamford has hit out at VAR following the decision to rule out what he thought was a legitimate goal against Crystal Palace.

Marcelo Bielsa's side were beaten 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in Premier League action but were left unhappy at the chalking off of Bamford's leveller.

Palace defender Scott Dann headed the hosts in front after just 12 minutes, before United's number nine thought he had tied up proceedings in south London.

Leeds put together a well-worked move which left the striker in on goal before he lifted the ball past onrushing stopper Vicente Guaita.

VAR, though, intervened to chalk the strike off as replays suggested the top of Bamford's arm was in an offside position when the ball was played.

Rules state that if the shirtsleeve of a player is deemed beyond the last defender then a goal must not stand.

Eberechi Eze compounded United's misery just moments later with a wonderful free-kick which crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Bamford finally got himself on the scoresheet to haul the visitors back into the game but Palace restored their two-goal cushion ahead of the half-time interval through a freak Helder Costa own goal.

Jordan Ayew's second half strike left an emphatic look on the scoreline in what was a competitive clash in the capital.

Bamford - who bagged his seventh goal of the top flight campaign against the Eagles - admitted his frustration at the implementation of the technology post-match.

"I thought it was just a formality checking it - it'd be fine," Bamford admitted.

"I've just seen it back there. I've been playing over seven years and I don't understand the rule now. You can't score with your hand, so if your hand or arm is offside - how is it offside?

"They need to make it clearer, no-one really knows. The ref when I asked him didn't really know himself.

"I'm not just saying it because it's my goal, there have been too many now on TV previously. It's ruining the game I think."

Asked about the game itself and whether Palace deserved their victory, he added: "They knew our game plan well.

"I think in the first half if it gets to 2-2, or 1-1 - I can't remember what the score was, but things change don't they.

"It could've been a different game. They deserved to win, I'm not denying that but it could've been different."