Referee Watch With SFC Ref 6th April Thursday, 6th Apr 2023 09:31 by SFC Ref This weeks referee watch is a little late this week so that it can take in the midweek fixtures and there is of course the usual questions on the laws of the game at the end, could you be the first to get all three spot on ? Well I’ve had a week or so off from writing these, with the international period underway, which saw a vast array of results, with some quite surprising ones occurring. But of course there was still that bit of officiating controversy, but thankfully for once it had very little to do with the English FA/Prem so there was less media coverage around it all. As there was a fair few mistakes made by VAR over the last few weeks before the international break, some of which I couldn’t even understand. And now that we’re coming to the end of the season, we’re having more and more key games where mistakes from the officials will only become more and more costly! But let’s now have a look to see whether VAR and the refs are doing their job well once again or not, as we’ve got a fair few more games this time with all the midweek games… This game was always going to be a big one, as in previous seasons has been some of the major defining ones for who won the league, but this season it was still important, but not as much due to Liverpools drop in form this season. So this game was always going need a decent ref, and for how Hooper has been recently, and how well he’s been officiating in my view, it was a fair appointment for this major game. As the game wasn’t so surprising for its result, but rather the scoreline and margins City won it by, especially with how Liverpool could’ve gone 2/3-0 up before city got the equaliser. But for Hooper it was a fairly easy game, with not too many major incidents occurring. As Rodri got a fair cautioning, but just a few minutes later committed another foul, which many Liverpool players wanted another cautioning for, but Hooper simply kept just to the free kick. In my view if he’d not been causing just beforehand would’ve probably got one, but for a second cautioning it’s one where I can see a ref rightfully giving either a second yellow or just a free kick. Although I do feel as if some Liverpool players should’ve also been causing for surrounding Hooper and getting right in his face. Other than that though, there was very little to discuss for this game, with all goals rightfully standing and nothing major for VAR to check or intervene with. So a decent one from Hooper and his team. Arsenal VS Leeds (Darren England) This was another big game, with both teams soo desperately needing the points for a title and a relegation battle, where I’m sure that like any other saints fans I was really hoping arsenal would get the win to keep Leeds down there with us. So this was a big game for England, although there wasn’t too much for him to do in the end. As he awarded Arsenal with a penalty in the first half, which in todays game was always going be one, although can understand why some fans weren’t so impressed with how it would never of been one a few decades ago.
But at the same time Darren England wasn’t refereeing this game back then, but last weekend, so was right to award it in todays game. But other than that, there really wasn’t much to talk about on the officiating side of things to this game, with all goals rightfully standing and no other major incidents occurring. So yet another good display from VAR and the officials, led by England for this game. Bournemouth VS Fulham (Peter Bankes) This was probably the only game other than our own, which really went against us this game week. As Bournemouth winning is the reason why we need more than just a win now to try and get out of the bottom 3 for our next game against City (and a wins only hard enough as it is against them anyway!). But Fulham were without Mitrovic who at the time of writing this has been given an 8 game suspension, ironically with his first game back being against us! But still it’s good to see the FA dealing with this once and for all and can hopefully be the first step in math for removing the ridiculous levels of abuse and dissent from players towards the officials.
But going back to Saturdays game, it may have been frustrating for us saints fans with Bournemouth winning, but thankfully at least this result was a deserved one with no major controversies for VAR or Bankes to deal with. As all 3 goals were perfectly valid and there didn’t seem to be any major controversies elsewhere, so a quiet but decent display from Bankes and VAR. Brighton VS Brentford (Michael Oliver) For the scoreline of this game, I’m quite surprised that there wasn’t more major decisions for Oliver to deal with for this game, but he still had a bit to do. As it did t matter I’d you were a seagulls, bees or neutral for this game as it was entertaining for all! But for Oliver it had very little for him to do right up until the last minute where he had two handball incidents to deal with. As the first one he original dismissed, but after VAR got him to have another look overturned his decision and gave a penalty, which in my view was the correct decision as the Brentford’s defenders arm is sticking out, and really in my opinion was lucky to also not be sent off for this incident. But then just a few minutes after awarding the penalty had yet another penalty incident to deal with, with the same Brentford player being the one to handle the ball. But again Oliver said no to the penalty when seeing it first time, but this time VAR didn’t ask him to go to the monitor and review the footage, which again I think was the correct decision with how his hand is by his side and this time not sticking out in front of him, and with soo little time to react was never intentional. So in my view yet another great game for Oliver and VAR, who got the late two penalty decisions spot on, with VAR doing what it’s there to do. Crystal Palace VS Leicester (Tim Robintson) Again another big game from this gameweek, with both teams down there with us in the relegation scrap. But this game has very little for VAR and Robinson to do, as none of the 3 goals had any controversy around them, with two being perfectly fine and one coming from a free kick caused by a blatant foul committed by the Leicester midfielder. So overall an easy, but still good game for VAR, Robinson and his officiating team. Forest VS Wolves (Chris Kavanagh) Yet another major game for the relegation scrap, so one in which VAR and Kavanagh couldn’t afford to mess up on. As early in the first half there was an early shout for a supposed handball against Wolves, but with him being only like a meter away and his hands being as close to his body as possible, was never going to be given and was rightfully not given by VAR or Kavanagh. Then later in the first half Forest had another penalty shout that was a bit more debatable. As in the end Kavanagh booked the forest attacker for simulation, which was the complete opposite as to what many were expecting him to do. But after reviewing the footage, I do feel as if the ref could’ve given a foul for the pulling outside the box, but once the Forest attacker was in the box, no fouls were committed and it was quite a blatant dive, so Kavanagh was right to book him for simulation (and really should’ve also booked a few of the Forest players for how like 6/7 of them surrounded them when he gave the decision).
And I know that the usual clowns on MOTD said that it wasn’t a dive and just him falling over, but the delay in his fall and his reaction of looking at the ref and expecting a pen shows that he clearly was diving and that a booking was the correct decision. But the action didn’t end there, as Wolves were the ones to then have a penalty shout at the start of the second half, for a supposed foul on Traore. But from the replays he’s just getting a bit of pressure from the defender and goes over far too easily for a penalty, which VAR was right to not award. But just after this incident, a member of both Wolves and Forest’s staff were sent off, which I presume was for what they said, but why and what that was all about is quite unclear. But that still wasn’t the end of things as a Wolves player then looked to be spitting at a Forest one towards the end of the game, yet VAR didn’t see it as a red. But this one’s a hard one, as the camera doesn’t actually show if any spit did come out of his mouth, and as much as whether it hit him or not is irrelevant (as it’s still a red) whether any spit left his mouth or not does matter. And seeing how neither VAR or Kavanagh could certainly see any, then they were right to not get involved. As there is no clear and obvious error under the evidence shown, as only the Wolves player himself will know as to whether he did spit or not. So overall a jam packed game for Kavanagh and VAR, who in my view made no blatant mistakes, but did make a few debatable decisions, but none were clear mistakes. But still a fairly decent game for Kavanagh and his team. Chelsea VS Aston Villa (Andy Madley) Other than the start of the season, it’s not often you have a midtable clash between Villa and Chelsea, with Potter having just been sacked after the result when writing this. But for Madley, he did have a bit to do, but certainly not as much as some of his other colleagues from this gameweek. As Chelsea had an early shout for a penalty, in which the ref gave nothing for. But after reviewing I do certainly think it was a foul, but as it was outside the box (so therefore not a penalty) and wasn’t a red card offence, VAR couldn’t intervene. But Chelsea then had a goal ruled out for a push, although this one I think Madley got spot on as Chilwell clearly shoved the Villa defender before the header which is a clear foul and the goal was rightfully ruled out. Chelsea then had another shout for a penalty in the second half, for a supposed handball, but it was valet my one of desperation as it clearly just Mings’s shoulder which can’t be given as a handball as isn’t seen under the LOTG as part of the arm, so rightfully wasn’t awarded by VAR or Madley. So overall a good game from Madley, with VAR doing its job exactly how they should be in my opinion. Newcastle VS Man United (Stuart Attwell) Ever since Newcatle got taken over and we’re gonna make it a “top 7” it was only a matter of time until games like this we’re going to be major ones in the battle for the champions league spots. Although it was quite surprising for just how quick it’s been, but then again with how much Howe has had to spend, it’s not necessarily as surprising. But for Attwell it was going to be a close game, and on in which I thought he’d have a fair bit to do with all the divers on both ends of the pitch. Although for the first half there wasn’t much, as Man U wanted a penalty for a blatant typical dive from Fernandes, but the replays showed that it was clearly simulation and just him being his usually self. But for the second half there was nothing else for him or VAR to do with both of Newcastle’s goals being perfectly fine and no major controversies in the game. So yet another good game for VAR and a some good officiating from Attwell and his team. Everton VS Spurs (David Coote) Coote then awarded spurs a penalty just after this for a clear trip from and Everton defender on the spurs forward, which VAR backed as it was a clear penalty. But that wasn’t all for major decisions as Lamella was also sent off by Coote for serious foul play for a poor challenge, and got a straight red which VAR again backed for his challenge. Which in my view was maybe a little harsh but still can’t say that it’s wrong as it may be a hash red, but it’s still a red card, so was right to be sent off. But still for everything Coote and VAR had to look at and deal with in the second half, I think they had a great game getting all 3 of the major decisions spot on. Bournemouth VS Brighton (Darren Bond) As much as it was annoying that Bournemouth won at the weekend against Fulham, it’s certainly a relief that they only got 3 points and not 6, having lost against Brighton. Still, our very own Bond was in the middle for this one, and just like how 007 does, went quite unnoticed for this game having no major decisions to make whatsoever with no interventions from VAR at all. Still a fairly simple and good performance from them all. Leeds VS Forest (Robert Jones) Leicester VS Aston Villa (Graham Scott) Thankfully another result which has helped us and our small hopes of staying up. But this game did have a bit for Scott to look at, as there was a bit of controversy around Villa’s first goal, as it was both a close offside call as well a supposed handball in the build up to the goal. But the Villa player was seen as onside by VAR, but also it wasn’t seen as a handball offence hence why the goal was awarded. But after seeing it again from another angle, saw that it didn’t hit the arm so the goal was completely right under the LOTG. Still that wasn’t all for Scott, as Jewsbury-Hall was sent off by him for two yellow card offences, both of which were blatant cautionable offences and rightfully given by Graham Scott. But then also a last minute penalty decision, which Scott originally gave to Leicester as a penalty, but after VAR got him to review it, he overturned it and awarded Villa the free kick. Which in my view was clearly the correct decision as the Leicester player is clearly the one that causes the contact, not the Villa one, so is certainly rather a free kick to Villa more than a penalty to Leicester. So some good interventions by VAR for this game, where it made sure the correct decisions were made and helped Scott and his team to officiate this game well. Chelsea VS Liverpool (Anthony Taylor) Taylor almost always gets the big games most weeks with him being one of the best refs in the prem, but it’s not often those two teams are 11th and 8th at this point in the season, but that’s exactly where Chelsea and Liverpool started this game. But the score basically sums up how much he had to do, as other than ruling out an early Chelsea goal for an offside, there was very little for VAR or Taylor to get involved in. Although VAR did also rule out another Chelsea goal for handball, which unlike in the middle of the pitch doesn’t have to be intentional or in a natural position, as when the ball strikes the hand and goes directly in/a goals scores directly after hitting the arm, it just be ruled out, which VAR rightfully did. But still a decent game from VAR and Taylor who got all their major decisions right and controlled this game well. Man United VS Brentford (John Brooks) As much as there’s been a few surprises this season, I don’t think many people would’ve predicted this game at the start of the season being one between two teams battling for Europeans spots and only being separated by 7 points before this game took place. But this game didn’t have too many surprises for Brooks, who had very little to do with no major decisions to make whatsoever and VAR not having to intervene at all. So a fairly easy one for Brooks and VAR. West Ham VS Newcastle (Craig Pawson) Another result that thankfully went in our favour, but one in which Pawson didn’t have too much to do, even with their being soo many goals. As in the first half Newcastle’s second goal was originally ruled out for offside, but VAR intervened as Wilson was clearly onside so the goal was rightfully awarded. But there was also a penalty shout for West Ham in this game, for a supposed foul on Antonio, but in my view Antonio is backing into the Newcastle player just as much as the Newcastle players going into him, so VAR and Pawson were right to wave away the appeals. Pawson didn’t have too much more to do, although he did play a great advantage for Newcastle which almost lead to goal for them, but still some great officiating there. So in the end a great game from Pawson and VAR who managed this game really well. Weekly conclusion + LOTG quiz We’ve had a fair few more games to look at this week with all the midweek action for some teams, yet out of the 16 games we’ve had a look at, all 16 have got all their major VAR decisions correct. With there being 14 great displays from the officials, with 2 games having debatable decisions in them, but even then weren't mistakes as they were just simply debatable decisions. But still it’s good to see that VAR’s back on track, as I remember that before the international break there had been a fair few games with some quite clear mistakes made by VAR, with some being ones that even I couldn’t understand. But this gameweek it’s been much better with no clear mistakes at all, and all the games being officiated fairly. So as much as the media won’t highlight it, it certainly has been a great week for VAR and the prem’s officials. As many games didn’t have much at all for the officials to do, but still the ones that did all gave correct or at least understandable decisions, and can hopefully keep this going. As when the worst thing about VAR/the officials is how long they can take, then that’s certainly not bad officiating whatsoever! And now for this gameweeks questions, which like usual, I’ll post the answers to just before the next post is done… Although if anyone’s got any “out there” questions to ask, could always use some of them for future quiz questions. Q1= How many different things can you be sent off for under the LOTG? Q2= A player scores a goal, and climbs onto the perimeter fence when celebrating. What, if anything, do you give them now disciplinary wise? Q3= A Team A defender starts pulling on a Team B players shirt outside the box, but they both continue to run for a few metres (whilst the pulling continues), in which they both come into the Team B box, where the defender continues to hold the shirt, so the Team A player then goes down inside the box. What do you give now? Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Derby County Polls[ Vote here ] |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
