FORMER referee Dermot Gallagher believes Joachim Andersen was “so, so lucky” to escape punishment for his apparent punch on Jefferson Lerma at the weekend.

A 31st minute incident during Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Cherries saw midfielder Lerma felled inside his own box after a coming together at a corner.

It quickly became clear that the Colombian had been caught in the face by the clenched fist of Palace defender Andersen, and despite the incident being checked by VAR for violent conduct, no action was taken.

Lerma was left with a broken nose from the incident.

Gallagher, who took charge of over 100 Premier League matches and officiated an FA Cup final, explained why VAR had not intervened, but felt that if referee Michael Salisbury had seen the incident on the field, there would have been a red shown.

He told Sky Sports: "The VAR felt it wasn't a swing at the player, so he didn't gather enough momentum. But looking at that, he's so, so lucky.

"If you jab someone in the face with a clenched fist, I think if the referee had seen that it would've been a red card.

“The clenched fist is the key for me, it doesn't travel a long way but it travels with enough impact to break his nose.

"It's done with malice, there's no doubt about that and he's very lucky. Without doubt the referee's not going to see it with the amount of jostling at a corner."