Ref Review: The controversial decisions from week 27

Gary Cahill: One of the tighter calls of the weekend

Charlie Austin

Chelsea, West Brom and Aston Villa all benefited from major incorrect decisions in the Premier League this weekend, according to our Ref Review panel.

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 weekend.

We’ll also keep a tally of the major decisions to go for and against each team in an attempt to settle the never-ending debate about whether certain clubs are favoured more than others by Premier League referees.

Week 27

Disallowed Jack Rodwell goal v West Ham: The Sunderland substitute rifled the ball into the net during the second half against West Ham, but our panel quickly agreed with the referee in deciding the ball had, very clearly, struck his arm in the build-up. Verdict: Correct decision

Scott Dann penalty appeal v West Brom: Gareth McAuley was clearly seen to nudge the Crystal Palace centre-half in the back when Yohan Cabaye floated a dangerous corner into the box and the West Brom defender can count himself fortunate not to concede a spot-kick. Only one of our panel felt there was nothing in the challenge. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Yannick Bolasie penalty appeal v West Brom: Alan Pardew was incensed after the final whistle and felt his side were denied two clear penalties in the game, with first Dann, and then Bolasie – who took a tumble in the area under a challenge from Darren Fletcher – denied. Our panel felt that while he gave the referee a decision to make, he was not in control of the ball and certainly made the most of the situation. Verdict: Correct decision

Charlie Austin penalty appeal v Chelsea: The Chelsea man appeared to handle the ball after falling onto it as Southampton striker Austin chested the ball into the area. You can understand why the referee waved played on, but having seen the action a few times over, it’s clear the ball struck the centre-half’s hand and he denied Austin a clear goalscoring opportunity. As such, our panel narrowly voted 3-2 in favour of the award. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Kenedy challenge in build-up to Fabregas goal v Southampton: The Brazilian went in with a meaty challenge against Saints full-back Cedric Soares and while the shoulder challenge was deemed not worthy of a foul, the little kick out in the same movement might have been. Having reviewed the challenge, our panel voted in favour of the Chelsea defender 4-1. Verdict: Correct decision

(Note ~ There was also debate about whether the ball crossed the line before Diego Costa cut the ball back for Fabregas to score, but that was soon resolved as the correct call too)

Stoke penalty v Aston Villa: On first glance, it appeared that Ashley Westwood made minimum contact with Stoke full-back Phil Bardsley, but having reviewed the evidence, our panel unanimously agreed that the referee was right to point to the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from the Villa midfielder. Verdict: Correct decision

Rudy Gestede handball in build-up to Bacuna goal v Stoke: The powerful frontman appeared to use his hand to gain control of the ball before laying it off for Leandro Bacuna to fire home what was to prove a consolation goal for the visitors. Our panel were torn on this one, but eventually came down 3-2 in favour of disallowing the strike and rubbing salt into the wounds for Remi Garde. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Bournemouth penalty appeal v Watford: Valon Behrami appeared to handle the ball in the area when Bournemouth swung over a second-half corner at Vicarage Road. Although Eddie Howe was convinced after the match that a penalty should have been given, our panel decided it was more a case of ball to hand, than hand to ball. Verdict: Correct decision

Josh King possible sending off v Watford: It’s always risky when you raise your hand to an opponent, and Bournemouth striker King must have been fearing the worst when the referee blew his whistle following his scuffle with Miguel Britos. However, the referee deemed the challenge worthy of a talking to only and we fully endorsed the decision. Verdict: Correct decision

Kyle Walker disallowed goal v Swansea: The Spurs full-back thought he’d put the seal on their come-from-behind victory over Swansea at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with a win that very much keeps their title hopes alive. But the defender carelessly wondered into an offside position before finishing at the back post and we feel both referee and linesman got a tight call here very much spot on. Verdict: Correct decision

 

For and Against

Team For Against Total For/Against
1. Man Utd Seven One +6
2. Leicester Twelve Seven +5
3. Liverpool Ten Six +4
= Man City Nine Five +4
= Tottenham Seven Three +4
= Aston Villa Six Two +4
= Sunderland Seven Four +3
8. Newcastle Five Five 0
= Watford Four Four 0
10 Crystal Palace Three Four -1
= Arsenal Eight Nine -1
= Everton One Two -1
13. Stoke Four Six -2
= Southampton Six Eight -2
15. Norwich One Four -3
= West Brom Six Nine -3
= Chelsea Seven Ten -3
18. Swansea Four Nine -5
19. West Ham Three Nine -6
= Bournemouth Three Ten -7