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PREMIER LEAGUE

Sam Allardyce: "The Watford mascot was out of order"

Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw at Watford in the Premier League had a sting in the tail as an argument blew up over the behaviour of the home team's mascot Harry the Hornet.

Update:
Watford mascot Harry the Hornet dives on the floor at the final whistle mocking Wilfred Zaha of Palace during the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on December 26,
Richard HeathcoteGetty Images

Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw at Watford in the Premier League had a sting in the tail as an argument blew up over the behaviour of the home team's mascot Harry the Hornet.

Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, booked for diving during the match, reacted angrily after the final whistle when the mascot performed a mock dive at his feet and had to be restrained by staff.

Wilfred Zaha of Palace remonstrates with a linesman during the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace.
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Wilfred Zaha of Palace remonstrates with a linesman during the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace.Richard HeathcoteGetty Images

Hornet antics

"The mascot was out of order," Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce told reporters, suggesting that the incident should be investigated.

"The Premier League and FA can look at that and do what they want to do," he said."That's up to Watford to sort that out really. It could have made the wrong reaction as we know. The mascot is out of order, isn't he? If someone is diving, they don't get that angry. But I'm concerned about my team and the overall performance."

Crystal Palace's English manager Sam Allardyce
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Crystal Palace's English manager Sam AllardyceOLLY GREENWOODAFP

Mazzarri brushes over

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri preferred to look at the funny side. "I think we should laugh all together, football is nice for these things, it doesn't have to be a drama," he said.

Zaha and Harry the Hornet make peace

One day on from the furore and Zaha turned to Twitter to make peace with his winged foe, tweeting him a picture of a panel of judges, rating his dive. Harry then responded in kind...