should have been sent off

The Arsenal midfielder escaped a second booking on number of occasions

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew was adamant referee Lee Mason was wrong not to show Francis Coquelin a red card on Sunday.

The Arsenal midfielder was shown a 40th minute yellow card for a foul on Yannick Bolasie but escaped another booking just before the break for a late challenge on Wilfried Zaha.

Pardew waited for Mason in the tunnel at half-time as he sought an explanation from the official.

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin was shown a 40th minute yellow card for a foul on Yannick Bolasie

Referee Lee Mason shows the Arsenal anchorman his yellow card during the first half at Selhurst Park

Coquelin escaped caution again early in the second half for a foul on James McArthur, leaving Pardew and the Selhurst Park crowd frustrated.

Knowing Coquelin risked being sent-off, Arsene Wenger substituted Coquelin in the 64th minute to ensure his side were not reduced to 10 men.

And Pardew insists the Arsenal midfielder should have been given his marching orders by Mason.

'I had a chat with Lee in the tunnel and we agreed that he shouldn't have been sent off – you don't want that,' said Pardew.

'But I said that's his last chance, he can't afford to make another challenge, and he did. But (Mason) didn't make the call.

'He should have been sent off. Our bench thought he should have gone. Their bench did too, so taking him off was a natural reaction.

Crystal Palace winger Bolasie vents his frustration at his opponent after being fouled when on the attack

Mason gives Coquelin a final warning after he makes yet another foul during Sunday's Premier League clash

'The foul just before half-time (on Zaha) was debatable, a cynical challenge, but give people the benefit of the doubt. But you can't make another one. It's a decision Lee Mason has to be braver on.'

Wenger, however, defended his anchorman, insisting Mason was correct not to brandish a second yellow card.

'He didn't deserve a (second) yellow card, but the pressure was on to get him sent off,' said the Gunners boss.

'I had thought about it at half-time, when the pressure was already there. After the last foul (on Zaha) I thought there was not much room now.

Alan Pardew believes the Arsenal midfielder should have been given his marching orders by Mason

'The crowd were getting at him. Every time he intervened, the crowd were behind it and putting pressure on the referee.

'I didn't like to take him off after 60 minutes, but I didn't have much room.'

Meanwhile, Wenger praised his side as they bounced back from last Sunday's shock opening-day loss against West Ham with victory at Palace.

Mesut Ozil, in particular, was tremendous at Selhurst Park, and Wenger said: 'It was a mental test when they came back to 1-1 after last week, and we managed to find a second goal.

Arsene Wenger defended his anchorman, insisting Mason was correct not to brandish a second yellow card

'We had to dig in and fight in the second part, and we did that. I'm pleased. We showed many different aspects that will be very important in the season.'

On Ozil, Wenger added: 'It was a very good performance, he was very important getting the ball out from the back in tight areas.

'It's a pleasure to watch the quality of his passing and the intelligence of his passing. What I want from him more is a few more goals this season.

'He was absolutely magnificent. He works harder than many people think he does. He's not spectacular in his defending, but he wants to do the job and help the team.'

Wenger replaced Coquelin and shakes his hand to avoid him being shown a red card at Selhurst Park