Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer criticises West Brom tackles

Albion were beaten thanks to a Luka Miliovejivc free-kick and a deflected Bakary Sako shot, but De Boer was still unhappy with the manner of Albion's challenges through the game - especially regarding winger Wilfried Zaha.

"For me if you want to sell the Premier League here and the beauty of the game I saw some signs of wanting to bring the beauty of the game here and the beauty of the game is not those kind of challenges." he said.

"Of course when it’s a fair challenge for me it’s not a problem but for example for Zaha they were really looking for him, to injure him and we can’t accept that.

"No manager can accept that.

"He’s one if the exciting players of the Premier League. I don’t want to think that he’s out for a couple of weeks or months."

The third-place play-off was a heated affair throughout, with players coming together at half-time and numerous rough challenges made during play.

Wilfried Zaha caused Allan Nyom all manner of problems down the left in what was a spirited performance by the Eagles.

"When it’s fair, you don’t hear me complain" De Boer continued.

"The first challenge I think it was a yellow card and then he knows I can’t do another one.

"Now you give him the permission to do another challenge, so I think if you want to sell the Premier League you have to do the job to avoid these crazy kind of challenges.

"I think I have to give Wilf a good compliment because he stayed calm and spoke with his feet and he made a big step in that, so compliments to Wilf.

"There were some where they really went for the ball. I had a feeling that they were going more for the legs than the ball at that moment.

"You know it’s hard, but still it’s pre-season and every manager wants his players fit to start the league.

"Everybody has their own opinion and I think a lot of times it was fair but there were some challenges that I think there was some doubt about."