Ref Review: Swansea ‘penalty’, Alli offside under the microscope

Ki Sung-Yueng: Thought he was denied a penalty

Ki Sung-Yueng: Thought he was denied a penalty

Our panel debates the big decisions in the Premier League over the weekend, with Swansea’s penalty appeal v Arsenal and Dele Alli’s disallowed goal under the microscope.


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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 most fortunate and which was the easiest decision for a match official to make.

 

Tottenham penalty appeal v West Brom

In December Dele Alli caused pandemonium on social media after winning the softest of spot kicks against Swansea. Few could argue that he dived on that occasion and on Saturday Alli was in the thick out it again when, with Spurs 2-0 up, he controlled a long ball over the top and went dorm after tangling with Craig Dawson. The Baggies full-back put his arm across Alli’s chest but referee Anthony Taylor was unmoved. No penalty but no dive either from the in-form Spurs midfielder.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Dele Alli disallowed goal v West Brom

The classy youngster had bagged seven goals in four Premier League games going in and thought he had made that eight in five in the first half here after firing smartly past Ben Foster.

The offside flag went up almost immediately though and replays confirmed the decision was a fair one.

Verdict: Correct decision


Swansea penalty appeal v Arsenal

 

In the end Arsenal ran out as convincing winners at the Liberty but it could all have been so different if Swansea had been awarded a spot kick when only trailing 1-0. Ki Sung-Yueng went over in the area after trying to get past Laurent Koscielny. The latter initially dangled out a leg but replays showed he did not initiate contact with Sung-Yueng, who went down without any prompting.

Swansea boss Paul Clement raged afterwards “I thought it was a penalty.  Ki said there was contact.”

In hindsight the decision looked about right and fair play to the much maligned Mike Jones, who had got plenty wrong so far this season.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Peter Crouch goal v Sunderland

Peter Crouch: Rises to the occasion

Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone had another afternoon to forget and his claim to Mike Dean that Crouch fouled him just before nodding home his 99th Premier League goal was almost as embarrassing as his overall performance on the day. Charlie Adam swung the the cross and the 6ft 7in Crouch timed his leap to perfection to nod home. No suggestion of a foul on the keeper. Taxi for Mannone!

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Bournemouth penalty v Hull City

The quickest Premier League goal of the weekend came at the KCOM when Junior Stanislas converted a penalty after Ryan Fraser was brought down by Harry Maguire. It was an absolute stonewall-er as well.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Cristhian Stuani disallowed goal v Watford

Big call from ref Jon Moss this after he chalked off Stuani’s effort after 12 minutes. It was marginal at best and replays suggest the Uruguayan may be been level with a Boro defender, who was not really interfering, just off.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Troy Deeney yellow card v Middlesbrough

The build up was all about Graham Taylor, Watford’s legendary ex-boss who passed away earlier this week. Sadly the game did not live up to the occasion and the only real drama at Vicarage Road was a late flare up as Deeney got into it with Boro’s Fabio by the touch line and was booked. At one point more than 10 players were involved and whistler Moss brandished a flurry of yellow cards while appealing for calm. On reflection Hornets skipper Deeney can have few complaints about his.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Liverpool penalty v Manchester United

More money than sense? With the world watching Monsieur Pogba jumps up with a leading arm after getting himself in a tangle and completely losing the flight of the ball. Referee Michael Oliver had no alternative as Old Trafford let out a collective groan.

Verdict: Correct decision

 

Team most likely to feel brassed off award

Middlesbrough

The Teessiders would have probably taken a point before it kicked off but replays suggest it might have been three. Marginal.


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Stonewall decision of the week

Bournemouth penalty v Hull City

In the event this was about as good as it got for The Cherries as they crashed to defeat on Humberside but young Maguire can have few complaints it was a set in stone spot kick.