Neil Warnock blasted a “disgraceful” offside decision that ruled out a James McArthur goal in Crystal Palace's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.

The Scottish midfielder headed in a cross from Yannick Bolasie to pull a goal back for Palace only to see the linesman's flag go up, much to the anger of the Palace manager.

The goal would have reduced Palace's arrears to 2-1 with 20 minutes to play and set up a grandstand finish at the Etihad, and Warnock felt aggrieved.

He said: “It was miles onside, not even close - I would think two yards onside. He (the linesman) was in a bad position and it is a disgraceful decision.

“I’m sure he will be sorry but at this level you have got to get decisions like that right.

“With 20 minutes to go it was an opportunity for us to have a bit of a go and come away with a point.

"It’s hard enough trying to score at the Etihad without it being chalked off unreasonably. It was disappointing to say the least.”

City ran away to claim a 3-0 victory to leave Warnock’s side without a win in five Premier League matches and looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

David Silva scored twice in 12 second-half minutes before Yaya Toure rounded off a swift counter-attack in the 81st minute to complete a routine win for the champions.

Warnock paid tribute to Silva’s sublime performance, but also bemoaned the lack of goals in his team, who've only scored once in four games so far in December.

“Silva was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch,” the Palace boss said.

“He was absolutely fantastic and you have just got to take your hat off.

“In the end it was like a five-a-side canter, but it shouldn’t have been like that and we could have given them a good run for their money in the last 20 minutes.

“We don’t score enough goals.

“We had opportunities today and we couldn’t get on the sheet, but if they get chalked off when they’re good ones you haven’t got much chance.

“But we have just got to get on with it again and look to the two games in two days over Christmas now.”

Warnock’s side take on Southampton on Boxing Day before making a short trip to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers two days later.

And the Palace manager hinted that he may be looking to bring in another strike in January to solve his team’s goal-scoring problems.

He said: ‘I think we have got some good strikers at the club, but I feel we need a little bit different, maybe a physical presence or someone from the bench.

“I know Chamakh has tried his best over the last few weeks, but with him being out as well I just think we lack that physical threat.

“All the other lads have got their attributes, so it is just to supplement what we have got and give us more options off the bench.”