You are here: Home > News > On this day in 1980: Allen's ghost goal
March 23 2025 8.48am

On this day in 1980: Allen's ghost goal

September 6 2015

Clive Allen

Clive Allen

The Premier League might have goal-line technology now but Crystal Palace could have done with it 35 years ago with Clive Allen's infamous strike.

Palace had lost three out of their opening four matches in the First Division when they travelled to Coventry City on September 6, 1980.

They won a free-kick just outside the penalty area after Jerry Murphy was fouled and striker Allen expertly dispatched it into the top right hand corner. It would have been a contender for goal of the season and vital for Terry Venables' struggling side.

The ball hit the stanchion at the back of the net and rebounded out with John Motson describing it as "a tremendous shot by Allen and the ball came back off the woodwork as Palace claim a goal".

Angry Palace players surrounded the referee who consulted his linesman and he judged it was no goal despite replays proving otherwise. Palace lost the game 3-1 and ended up relegated at the end of the season.

"I feel disgusted about that decision." said manager Venables. "There's not even a doubt in my mind that went in when it hit the iron stanchion at the back."

Read more On This Day... from our archive.

Latest Headlines

Palace Talk Forum Latest

Would our club have the necessaries for a mega-stadium ?
at 8.32am by PalazioVecchio

Loaned-Out Players
at 3.55pm by Eagleman13

Munoz
at 2.44pm by doombear

FA Cup v Fulham
at 2.28pm by Little Peggy March

Internationals
at 10.00am by silvertop

New Sporting Director
at 4.18pm by Spiderman

Kamada scores!
at 12.45pm by silvertop

Ismaili Sarr chant
at 7.28am by MrRobbo

Freedman
at 12.22pm by JHB

Can the women stay up?
at 7.16pm by cpfc001

You are here: Home > News > On this day in 1980: Allen's ghost goal