Ref Review: How did Troy Deeney not get a red card?

We take a look at all the weekend’s controversial decisions as Troy Deeney was involved in a nasty incident and there were also a few penalties to debate.

 

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 v Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield’s players seemed genuinely baffled by the penalty award at Anfield but this is a great spot by whistler Kevin Friend. He pointed to the spot after Tommy Smith clearly pulled Roberto Firmino’s shirt in the area. Smith was incredulous but it was a clear foul and he can have no complaints about the yellow card that followed.

Verdict: Correct decision 

Troy Deeney yellow card v Stoke City

Deeney picked up a caution but could face retrospective action after a nasty incident towards the end of Saturday’s clash. It all kicked off after the Watford man refused to return the ball to Stoke, who had put it out of play as they had a player down injured. Joe Allen then confronted Deeney, who grabbed the Welshman by the face and throat then moments later pushed Ryan Shawcross to the floor. Ref Michael Oliver gave a yellow for the Shawcross push but really should have given Deeney a red for grabbing Allen so violently.

Verdict: Incorrect decision 

Swansea disallowed goal v Arsenal

Swansea had a goal disallowed by Tammy Abraham just after Arsenal equalised, but it was the wrong call. The linesman adjudged there was a second touch during the build-up, as the ball was played through. Had Sam Clucas touched it, he’d have been off, but he didn’t, the ball went through his legs and therefore he was on and goal should have stood.

Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

Crystal Palace penalty v West Ham 

The Hammers were 2-0 up and looking comfortable when Andros Townsend was bundled over in the area by Angelo Ogbonna. Townsend was actually going away from goal so it was clumsy and a bit needless for Ogbonna.

Verdict: Correct decision 

Chelsea offside goal v Bournemouth 

With the score still 0-0 Alvaro Morata tapped in after Cesar Azpilicueta’s effort was saved, but it was incorrectly ruled out for offside. It should’ve been given. It was close but Azpilicueta looked to be level with Nathan Ake.

Verdict: Incorrect decision 

Glenn Murray and Wesley Hoedt yellow cards

Tempers flared at the Amex as Hoedt reacted after being fouled by Murray. Some brief fisticuffs followed. It was all rather tame but referee Neil Swarbrick still decided, rightly, to give the warring couple a yellow card apiece.

Verdict: Correct decision  

Everton penalty appeal v Leicester City

It was the French philosopher Albert Camus who said: “When the soul suffers too much, it develops a taste for misfortune.” And poor Everton are suffering right now. 2-0 down at the King Power, they thought they’d been thrown a lifeline when Aaron Lennon went down in the area after being accosted by Christian Fuchs. However ref Andre Marriner wasn’t having any of it and waved played on. Marriner got that one wrong as Lennon was fouled from behind and it looked a stick on penalty.

Verdict: Incorrect decision 

 

Team most likely to feel brassed off award 

Everton

A miserable day for Everton and their fans. The Toffees conceded a slapstick own goal to go 2-0 down and then were denied a way back into proceedings after the officials got that penalty call wrong. Lennon was clearly brought down inside area by Fuchs as he latched onto Wayne Rooney’s through pass.

 

Stonewall decision of the week

Liverpool penalty

Tommy Smith was incredulous with the award and subsequent yellow card but it was blatant as he nearly ripped poor Firmino’s shirt clean off his back.