Ref Review: Man Utd robbed; errors galore in Spurs v Man City
We run the rule over a number of controversial decisions this weekend, with Tottenham, Man City, Manchester United and Southampton all on the wrong end of some bad calls.
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.
Marcos Alonso challenge on Shane Long
Shane Long was challenged by Marcos Alonso, who clearly studded Long in the back of the leg. The Irishman required treatment but Mike Dean, rather incredibly, did not even award a foul. The ref clearly can’t have seen the incident as if he did Alonso surely would have been dismissed.
Given that the incident was missed completely by the officials, the FA could yet take retrospective action.
Verdict: Incorrect decision
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Manchester City penalty v Tottenham
Manchester City were worthy winners against Tottenham on the balance of play but can consider themselves fortunate to have been awarded a penalty in the first half against Tottenham after replays appeared to show Hugo Lloris’ foul on Raheem Sterling was actually outside the box.
Whistler Jonathan Moss did not hesitate in pointing to the spot when Lloris cane flying off his line and upended Sterling after being beaten to the ball by the England man. Lloris was given a yellow card but TV replays appeared to show that initial contact actually took place a good yard outside of the area.
It was obviously a difficult call to make given the speed Sterling was travelling at and the fact his momentum took him into the area before he hit the deck, but it should have been a free-kick rather than a spot-kick.
Verdict: Incorrect decision
Ben Davies yellow card v Manchester City
Ben Davies was only booked for a truly shocking challenge on Vincent Kompany at Wembley.This one could and really should have been a red. His studs were up and it was clearly reckless. Kompany himself was furious that Davies was only booked and it’s a bad shout from the referee.
Verdict: Incorrect decision
Paul Pogba yellow card v West Brom
The Frenchman, excellent last week in United’s 3-2 win against Manchester City, didn’t have anything like the same impact against the Baggies and was booked just before the half hour for an obvious (and deliberate) handball.
Verdict: Correct decision
Manchester United penalty appeal v West Brom
West Brom’s improbable 1-0 win at Old Trafford was a huge shock but it could all have been so different had Ander Herrera been awarded a penalty after tangling with Craig Dawson in the area. It looked as though Dawson caught Herrera on the foot and while the fall was somewhat theatrical Herrera did look like he was impeded and so a penalty should really have been given.
Verdict: Incorrect decision
Marko Arnautovic offside #1 v Stoke City
Arnautovic headed home a cross from Aaron Cresswell but it was immediately ruled out for offside. Correct call and precious few complaints from any West Ham players.
Verdict: Correct decision
Marko Arnautovic offside #2 v Stoke City
Michael Oliver, taking charge of his first game since that controversial Real Madrid v Juventus clash in the Champions League, interestingly made this call himself before his assistant referee put up his flag.
Fernandes’ long-range strike flew into the back of the net but Arnautovic – who stepped over the ball – was in an offside position. Arnautovic was definitely offside as the ball went in, and interfering with play, so this was a good decision.
Verdict: Correct decision
Team most likely to feel brassed off award
Southampton
The Saints, struggling at the foot of the table, battled like mad against Chelsea and may have got something from a game they eventually lost 3-2 if Marcos Alonso’s crude, studs up challenge on Shane Long had been spotted.
Stonewall decision of the week
Pogba yellow v West Brom
Pogba, stretching with an arm out to handball at goal from an Alexis Sachez cross, knew he’d done wrong and would be cautioned.