CRYSTAL Palace defender Brede Hangeland says referee Craig Pawson could have given Damien Delaney a final warning instead of sending him off on Saturday.
The Irish defender had already been booked before he tugged the shirt of Loic Remy, which led to the official brandishing a second yellow card.
And Hangeland was left to rue what could have been an advantage against the ten men of Chelsea.
"If I'm honest, I think he (Delaney) could have been given a warning instead of a second yellow," said the 33-year-old.
"We're not pointing fingers at this club. I felt the referee could have told him it was his last time or he was off.
"We were disappointed to see him go and we were hoping to take advantage of 11 against ten."
And asked whether the Chelsea player influenced Pawson following Delaney's foul, he believes that would have played a part.
"It did seem like that, but I'm not one to talk about decisions and referees," said Hangeland.
"It's in the past now and we'll pick ourselves up for West Brom."
