Ref Review: Ings robbed at WBA; Chelsea benefit from Wembley howler

Danny Ings had an eventful afternoon at West Brom on Saturday, while Southampton can consider themselves hard done by after losing in the FA Cup semi-final, all in Ref Review.

 

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.

 

Liverpool penalty appeal v West Brom

It was quite a day for Danny Ings who grabbed his first Premier League goal for 931 days and who also might have earned Liverpool a penalty. The striker, in the thick of the action all day, went down in the box after a clash with Baggies defender Craig Dawson. Whistler Stuart Attwell was not interested though, insisting the coming together was entirely accidental. To us it looked a clear and blatant foul, and to add insult to injury for Liverpool fans, Attwell had a good view of it also.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

Ahmed Hegazi clash with Danny Ings

Strange sequence of events at the Hawthorns as Danny Ings was seemingly grappled to the ground and then punched in the stomach by Hegazi. Stuart Attwell then bizarrely elected to give West Brom a free-kick. It’s a clear punch and if you are applying the letter of the law there’s a case that Hegazi should have been sent off. However let’s have it right the ‘punch’ was absolutely feeble and you’d also have to question Ings, who reacted as though he’d took one full force from Anthony Joshua. Regardless of whether you thought it was a red or not though, it certainly should not have resulted in a free-kick for the Baggies Mr Attwell. Given the ref completely missed it Hegazi could get face retrospective action though.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

Crystal Palace penalty appeal #1 v Watford

The lively Wilfried Zaha saw a penalty appeal turned down in the first half after tangling with Christian Kabasele. Watford were furious with Zaha, and nobody more so than Abdoulaye Doucoure, who ran fully 15 yards to confront the Palace man. To be fair this didn’t look a penalty but Doucoure, already on a booking, could have easily have been dismissed for giving Zaha portions and pushing the Palace man.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Crystal Palace penalty appeal #2 v Watford

The Eagles’ second penalty appeal at Vicarage Road was a tad more contentious. Zaha again was in the thick of it as he went down following a challenge from Adrian Mariappa. Zaha was cautioned for his troubles, but replays suggested there was a touch from the Watford defender. It looked like Zaha’s legs were taken out from under him and therefore it should have been a penalty. Was this a case of his reputation preceding him? Zaha has now picked up four bookings for simulation since the start of the 2015/16 season, more than any other player. This one surely must rank as the most undeserved though.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Southampton disallowed goal v Chelsea

Huge call at Wembley and one that sent social media into a bit of a meltdown. With the score at 1-0 to Chelsea the Saints pumped a hopeful box right into the mixer. Charlie Austin went up with big Willy Caballero, who promptly dropped the ball, which then went over the line. Martin Atkinson was quick to blow for a foul against Southampton. Now, while we know any goalkeeper in his six yard box is protected by law, but just how much did Austin do wrong? The Saints striker did nothing illegal as he attempted to go for the ball and any contact with the ‘keeper was minimal. There’s no elbow, there’s really no foul.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

Oriol Romeu foul on Pedro

Southampton’s Romeu, who was on a yellow card, hauled down Pedro in time added on as the Chelsea player threatened to sprint clear.
Martin Atkinson, perhaps conscious that the Blues were 2-0 up and the game was essentially over, opted against a producing a red card.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Raheem Sterling offside v Swansea City

A rampant Manchester City threatened to overwhelm poor Swansea at the Etihad and at 2-0 up thought they were in again as David Silva’s pass released Sterling. However the flag was quickly up up as the England forward failed to time his run. The home fans were not happy about that decision but replays show it was the correct one.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Manchester City penalty v Swansea City

The irascible David Silva threaded the ball through for Sterling and Federico Fernandez then slid in like a lunatic, catching the England forward in the process. Sterling was already on the way down but it was a brainless, reckless challenge from the Swansea defender. Referee Craig Pawson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Team most likely to feel brassed off award

Southampton

There’s no guarantee they would have gone on to win but if the ‘equaliser’ that was chalked off had stood, it’s a different game. Caballero dropped the ball over his own line and there appeared to be minimal contact. Mark Hughes was raging afterwards that the incident was not at least referred to VAR.

 

Stonewall decision of the week

Manchester City penalty

You are just asking for trouble by sliding in at pace in the area on a player as quick as Raheem Sterling. Federico Fernandez found that out to his and Swansea’s cost on Sunday.

 

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