Ref Review: The incorrect decisions from week 20

Mark Holmes
Geoff Cameron: Sent off in Stoke City's defeat at West Brom

Geoff Cameron: Sent off in Stoke City's defeat at West Brom

West Ham were fortunate to get away with their first goal against Liverpool, but the decisions evened themselves in the Leicester v Bournemouth game.

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 20

West Ham first goal v Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp did not use it as an excuse, admitting that Liverpool were responsible for their own downfall, but Michail Antonio clearly fouled Alberto Moreno in the build-up to his opening goal of West Ham’s 2-0 win. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Leicester City penalty v Bournemouth: Eddie Howe claimed Simon Francis was sent off for “one of the tackles of the season” but, although he did get a touch on the ball, it wasn’t enough to divert it away from Jamie Vardy, who would have still had a great chance to score if he had not been clattered by Francis’ follow-through. However, slow-motion replays showed that the foul occurred just outside of the penalty area so Bournemouth were hard done by, just not in the way that Howe believed. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Leicester City penalty appeal v Bournemouth: This was a similar incident to the one which saw Angelo Ogbonna penalised for a foul on Rudy Gestede on Boxing Day. Vardy got goal side of Dan Gosling, who ran into the back of him, and although the Bournemouth midfielder did not mean to trip the Leicester forward, it was clumsy defending. Three out of five on our panel felt a penalty should have been awarded so things evened themselves out on the day. Verdict: Incorrect decision

Swansea City penalty appeals v Manchester United: Angel Rangel admitted he dived in an attempt to win one penalty in Swansea City’s defeat at Old Trafford, but Alan Curtis’ side had another shout earlier in the game when Morgan Schneiderlin smashed an attempted clearance into his own hand. However, nobody on the panel even considered the possibility that it should have been a penalty. Verdict: Correct decisions

Victor Wanyama red card v Norwich City: Having already been booked for one mistimed challenge, Wanyama was given a second yellow card and his marching orders after a reckless foul on Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. There were no complaints, even from Wanyama, who later apologised. Verdict: Correct decision

Geoff Cameron red card v West Brom: This one well and truly split the panel, but the only debate was whether Cameron’s push to the back of Claudio Yacob’s head as, contrary to popular belief, there is no rule that says a player must be sent off for raising his hands. Three to two voted that a yellow card would have been sufficient punishment. Verdict: Incorrect decision

 

For and Against

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