Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez was criticised the referees for awarding a soft penalty to Crystal Palace in their 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The Magpies went ahead through Mo Diame in the first-half. But Palace got back in the game when Christian Benteke was held by Ciaran Clark after a cross was launched into the box.

However, Benitez disagreed with the call and believes both players were holding each other.

"Scoring the second goal could change everything," he told Sky Sports. "We didn't do it and we conceded what I would say is a soft penalty because he was pushing my player and my player was pulling.

"That changed everything because obviously they had more confidence and they were pushing and we know they have very good players up front.

"We had to be strong in defence and it was difficult. To come here and to get a point, before the game I would say no, but after the second half maybe.

"But I still feel in the first half we could have scored the second goal."