All the reaction from Brighton’s 2-0 Premier League win against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
Brighton received a huge defensive boost ahead of their Premier League clash against old rivals Crystal Palace.
Brighton - who are third in the Premier League - saw defender Pascal Struijk dismissed during their 2-0 win at Sunderland last Saturday.
Struijk received a straight red card from match official Thomas Bramall following a VAR review for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Bramall had initially allowed play to continue after Struijk tangled with Sunderland attacker Wilson Isidor but Bramall changed his mind after watching the incident on the screen.
Brighton players protested at the time and after the match head coach Fabian Hurzeler insisted it was the wrong decision as there was no "clear and obvious" error and the German question why VAR intervened.
Brighton appealed the decision as there was doubt as to whether Isidor would beat Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to the ball.
Struijk appeal
The successful appeal means that Struijk will not serve a one-match ban and will be available to face Crystal Palace this Sunday at the Amex Stadium.
A statement on the Brighton website read: "Brighton & Hove Albion can confirm that an independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Pascal Struijk and removed his one-match suspension.
"The defender was sent off during the Premier League fixture against Sunderland on Saturday 10 October for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
"Following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal, the red card has been rescinded and Struijk will now be available for selection for Sunday's fixture against Crystal Palace."
Shearer: The wrong decision
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer also felt the decision was harsh and believes referee Bramall should have stuck to his original on-field decision.
“Isidor, I'm fairly certain, is not getting on the end of that ball and they have to take that into consideration,” said Shearer on Match of the Day.
“The referee calls it right on field and I think, once he is told to get involved, he should have taken no notice whatsoever, because he's not getting on the other end of that ball, and it's going straight through to the goalkeeper.
“I thought it was the wrong decision. He should have stuck with his original decision.
“He had a good view of it at all. He didn't whistle for the foul and the goalkeeper is getting that ball, not Isidor."