Ref Review: Schlupp robbed at Old Trafford; diving Dele Alli

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was a lucky boy over the weekend, while Dele Alli humiliated himself in Tottenham’s 4-0 win at Huddersfield.

Refereeing decisions are regularly the source of debate among fans, pundits, players and managers so this season a five-strong TEAMtalk panel will be passing judgement on every red card (or avoidance of one), every penalty and any other major incident every matchday.

We’ll also decide on a weekly basis which side can consider themselves lucky and which was the easiest decision for a match official to make.

Dele Alli yellow card v Huddersfield Town 

Excellent work from Neil Swarbrick, who booked England man Alli for simulation after Alli went down ridiculously easily after coming to the attention of Christopher Schindler near the bye-line. There was no contact at all so the booking was perfectly justified.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Scott Arfield yellow card v Everton

Another player booked for simulation but this one looked very harsh. Burnley’s Scott Arfield hit the deck in the area after a challenge from Everton defender Ashley Williams. It probably wasn’t a spot-kick but in hindsight John Moss could have easily just waved play on and avoided brandishing a card.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Everton penalty appeal v Burnley

Big shout for a penalty at Goodison when Wayne Rooney tried to head a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross goalwards. The ball looks like it catches the arm of Burnley defender Matt Lowton but referee Jon Moss was unmoved. Solid enough call too as the Burnley man didn’t put his arm to the ball as replays confirmed.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Crystal Palace penalty appeal v Manchester United

It was quite a weekend in terms of penalty appeals and Palace fans will still be fuming they didn’t get this at Old Trafford. Chris Smalling appears to clip Jeff Schlupp in the area. The referee was having none of it, much to the display of Roy Hodgson and he had every right to feel aggrieved. It was a foul by Smalling, whose knee came together with Schlupp.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Leicester City penalty appeal v Bournemouth

Yet another penalty appeal and yet another questionable decision from the man in the middle. Danny Simpson has got away with one here surely after he appeared to handle a Marc Pugh effort in the area. We can only assume ref Graham Scott was unsighted as replays showed it was handball in the area.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Joe Gomez yellow card v Newcastle United

The Toon fans were furious that Gomez only received a yellow for an ugly looking challenge on Christian Atsu. He seemed to go in over the top but crucially the Reds defender goes for and ultimately plays the ball. A foul? Yes. A booking? Yes. But a penno? Not so much.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Team most likely to feel brassed off award

Bournemouth

Getting that penalty might have been the difference between one point and three this weekend and you just wonder if it’s a non-decision that might come back to haunt them later in the season.

Stonewall decision of the week

Alli yellow card v Huddersfield Town

Not big or clever from Alli, who may have gone down in the estimation of many after a blatant con job in Yorkshire.