Ref Review: Should Joey Barton have seen red for FA Cup antics?

A detailed look at all the controversial decisions during this weekend’s FA Cup action and League One side Oxford can feel hard done by.

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.

 

Joey Barton stamp on Lincoln City’s Matt Rhead

This may have been missed by ref Graham Scott and his assistants but Barton will almost certainly be in bother if it is looked at retrospectively. It was an intentional stamp on the toes of the Lincoln player as the hosts looked to defend a corner and had the officials seen it Barton may well have been dismissed.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Joey Barton yellow card v Lincoln

Joey Barton: In the thick of the action

The referee consulted his assistant over another ugly incident involving Barton and issued a caution. Barton, who at times struggled to control himself during a pulsating FA Cup tie, appeared to aim a slap with his right palm into the face of Terry Hawkridge.

The Huyton man was unhappy with the yellow but on reflection it was the very least his actions merited.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Lincoln City goal v Burnley

Sean Ragget’s header sparked wild scenes of jubilation among the men in green but the goal that dumped the Premier League side out and ensured the Imps became the first non-league side to reach the FA Cup quarter finals since 1914 was somewhat contentious.

Ragget planted his header goalwards only to see Clarets ‘keeper Tom Heaton seemingly claw it out from on the line. Ragget wheeled away in celebration and time stood still for a brief moment before the goal was given. It was a close run thing but replays showed the whole ball definitely crossed. Incredibly it was Lincoln’s only shot on target in the whole game.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Jake Cooper red card v Leicester City

Cooper, who had already been booked, left ref Craig Pawson no option but to send him off in South London after absolutely flattening the hapless Ahmed Musa.

It was a bad tackle that looked like costing the Lions but to their eternal credit the League One side made light of their numerical disadvantage by grabbing a late winner at the New Den.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Middlesbrough penalty v Oxford United

Stewart Downing was handily placed in the area and eyeing a pop at goal when he was unceremoniously dumped on his backside by the blundering Chris Maguire. Andre Marriner had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and it was a penalty all day long.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Oxford United disallowed goal v Middlesbrough

Maguire, who was in the thick of the action all afternoon on Teesside, almost atoned for his penalty blunder as he had the ball in the back of the net at The Riverside.

Marriner controversially chalked it off as Kane Hemmings was adjudged to have fouled a defender but it looked really harsh on Oxford and the goal in truth should have stood.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Wolves penalty appeal v Chelsea

The atmosphere at Molineux was absolutely bouncing and the home fans screamed long and loud for a spot kick when Willian collided with Andi Weimann.

Referee Jonathan Moss was well positioned and unmoved however. Fair play to the whistler, who got the call bang on.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Blackburn disallowed goal v Manchester United

Late drama at Ewood Park as Blackburn chased a leveller against the Red Devils. Anthony Stokes looked destined to score but Sergio Romero saved bravely from point-blank range.

Willem Tomlinson eventually forces the loose ball home but he was well offside.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Team most likely to feel brasses off award

Oxford United

Collectively The U’s were tremendous against Boro, coming back to almost pull the tie out of the fire only to be undone by a late Christhian Stuani effort. Yet who knows how the match may have turned out had Maguire’s effort been allowed the stand?

Manager Michael Appleton said afterwards “I am very proud and tomorrow I will feel more pride but at the moment I am just frustrated.”

 

Stonewall decision of the week

Cooper red card v Leicester City

Lions boss Neil Harris said the dismissal “galvanised” his side and he is probably right. Cooper can have no complaints about either of his yellow cards though and his challenge on Musa was pretty wild.