Debatable Decisions EPL: Week 20 and 21

Round 20 and 21 of the Premier League season, we’ve back on schedule after the FA Cup games and the referees of the Premier League were kind enough to provide us with a whole host of decisions to consider, a decent number of which they got wrong. Well done them.

Enjoy!

Arsenal – Newcastle

Free Kick For Newcastle Goal

Simon M – Not all that much to debate about that one, Sagna is caught out by Obertan and resorts to bringing the Frenchman down to stop him getting into a shooting position.

Simon F – Is this really debatable? Clear foul by Sagna.

David – Seems like a clear-cut trip to me.

Callum – Not sure if it’s because of the angles given, but it doesn’t look like there’s all too much in it. Hasn’t won the ball though and gone through from behind so I’d say free-kick.

Michael – Yeah I think that one was fair enough. Silly challenge, got what it deserved.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Santon Tackle From Behind (Yellow Given)

Simon M – I’m surprised more wasn’t made of this because I thought it was quite a nasty tackle. From behind, two footed. A red for me.

Simon F – A very poor challenge from Santon, but punished correctly with a yellow card. I don’t think it quite strayed into red card territory.

David – It’s a pretty bad tackle, though I note he didn’t just lunge in but swept his foot into the Arsenal’s player from the side. This just doesn’t tick the “serious foul play” box for me, just.

Callum – Think a red would have been harsh. Yellow card correct.

Michael – Again, seems reasonable enough to me. A bit ugly, but no nothing more than that. Yellow about right.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Norwich – Man City

Kompany Tackle In Build Up To City Goal

Simon M – Very similar to the Kompany tackle that saw him sent off against Man Utd in the cup last season, I thought he deserved red then and I think he would have deserved a red this time too. He has to dive in, but the studs up and being off the ground means it’s excessive force for me.

Simon F – Kompany has stormed in, clatters through man and ball and in my opinion Norwich should have had a free kick.

David – This is one of those situations where the defender has to go for it, but it’s the studs out way that Kompany does it that bothers me. Getting the ball is unimportant. I’d give a free. In a harsher mood I’d send him off too.

Callum – Fair tackle.

Michael – I think it’s a good old-fashioned 50-50. Kompany’s studs are down and if he has enough control to pop back up to his feet without missing a beat then he has enough control of the tackle to make it a fair one.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Free Kick For Norwich Goal

Simon M – Very poor decisions from the referee and can’t help thinking that this might be down to the protests from the Norwich players about the earlier Kompany tackle. Very good tackle and nowhere near a free kick.

Simon F – This, however, is a textbook tackle from Kompany. A clear win of the ball, and Snodgrass’ momentum then takes him into and over the defender. No foul.

David – The only thing that I could possibly give this for is the forearm contact, but even that is negligible. The defender has to get a foot to the ball, and he can’t make the rest of his body intangible to suit the attacker. Not a free.

Callum – Won the ball, not a free-kick for me.

Michael – A harsh one. I don’t think the Norwich player dived or even bought it, though. Merely tackled. It happens in football, you know. Not that you’d think it sometimes!

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Aguero Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – Would have been harsh. Bassong has cleared the ball and ended up on the ground. Aguero trips over him, but I don’t think it has anything to do with Bassong.

Simon F – A clear dive by Aguero, he throws himself over the defender very theatrically.

David – Again, what is the defender supposed to do here, roll out of the way to suit Aguero? He trips over him accidently, it’s not a foul.

Callum – Difficult to justify because Bassong is on the floor because he has just won the ball. Aguero more runs into him than anything. No penalty.

Michael – I think it would have been harsh. Just looked like an innocent tangle. I’d have let it go.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Bassong Yellow & Nasri Red

Simon M – I thought this was a really good piece of officiating from the referee. It’s easy to get caught up in the passion fo the moment,m but he remained calm and judged each decision based on the incident it involved and I think he got it spot on.

Simon F – It’s a poor tackle from Bassong, but just about only a yellow card rather than red. Nasri can have no complaints, it may be a terrible attempt at a headbutt, but it still constitutes violent conduct

David – Bassong’s is worth a yellow and no more to me. His right foot is tucked in, and the side of his left foot hits Nasri after it has legally challenged for the ball. Just momentum, nothing else. Nasri’s red, well is it really “violent conduct”? On the sole basis of a zero tolerance approach to any sort of violent action from one player to another, I’d give him a red, but I’d be tempted to give Bassong another yellow too. He didn’t have to stay locked in to that machismo contest either.

Callum – No booking, however Nasri is deserving of his red because of how shambolic that headbutt was. Do it properly next time.

Michael – Caused plenty of debate but I think the referee got the Nasri red card right. The intent to hurt Bassong is clear for all to see. He lost control. I think I’d have sent Bassong off too, though. One yellow for the tackle (which won the ball but was also excessive) and one for his part in the aftermath.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Aston Villa – Wigan

Maloney Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – Poor old Shaun Maloney, he’s had a few of these decisions go against him in recent week and this one is no different. The defender has been caught out and tripped Maloney. It’s pretty clear, so i’m not sure how the referee missed it.

Simon F – Maloney is pretty clearly wiped out and he’s just inside the penalty area. One that Villa got away with.

David – I think he is just beyond the line when he is very clearly fouled. A penalty.

Callum – Penalty.

Michael – Wow. What does Shaun Maloney need to do to get a penalty these days? You get the feeling a defender could pull a cartoon still giant mallet out of his sock, beat Maloney half to death with it, and the referee still wouldn’t point to the spot. It’s a penalty. Of course it’s a penalty.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Stoke – Southampton

N’Zonzi Red Card

Simon M – Blimey, no idea what the referee is playing at here. It was rightly rescinded afterwards, but that doesn’t help Stoke much.

Simon F – Clearly not a stamp as the referee thought it was and it has been correctly rescinded by the FA.

David – Did he stamp on him? Did he kick him with his other foot? I can’t see it. This seems harsh to me.

Callum – Cork has fell over and N’Zonzi has ran into him. Doesn’t look like there’s any malice in it at all. Red card very harsh. Would have issued a warning.

Michael – Absolutely the correct decision to rescind this red card. He goes over the ball a little but there is nothing dangerous or malicious in it. Nice that sanity prevailed. Not that it did Stoke much good on the day, of course.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Sunderland – Spurs

Bale Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – Seen a lot of pundits arguing that this wasn’t a dive because there was contact……the less said about that the better. If that’s all it takes to send Bale flying then he needs to hit the gym.

Simon F – I don’t think he’s impeded and the referee was right not to award a penalty.

David – Yeah, the arm grazes his shirt at lower chest height, but that’s utterly negligible contact. Bale can complain all he likes, but he hits the ground like he’s been shot and I think that’s a dive.

Callum – No penalty, Bale booked.

Michael – There was a slight contact but that doesn’t make it a foul. Bale has whinged on like a tart about it but let’s be honest here: If Craig Gardner tickling his tummy makes Gareth Bale go weak at the knees then he has far greater problems in life than not getting a penalty. Correct decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Fulham – Swansea

Possible Offside During Fulham Goal

Simon M – Incredibly difficult to make anything out in such a packed penalty area, so i’m going to side with the officials and mark it down as correct.

Simon F – He looks level with the last defender to me.

David – I think his feet and head are on the right side of the line. Not offside.

Callum – Looks offside to me. Don’t think linesman would have seen it as it all happened so quickly. Goal should not have stood.

Michael – I think you have to let that one go. It is tough to sift through such a messy scramble to see if anyone actually WAS offside, and even if they were then they weren’t getting any advantage. Correct decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Reading – West Ham<

Cole Possible Stamp

Simon M – I think you see Cole look at the opponent and then jump a little forward to catch him. Poor show.

Simon F – I don’t think there’s any intent here, just a case of Carlton Cole not being able to control his own feet.

David – That can’t be anything more than an accident. Maybe a yellow as a warning for his ill-footwork, but not a red.

Callum – I dunno how you can give that, it doesn’t look intentional. Not for me.

Michael – I don’t think so. Frankly I have never seen much evidence that Carlton Cole commands sufficient control over his feet to pull off such a precision attack.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

QPR – Liverpool

Possible Henderson Handball In Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Hahaha, that’s a ridiculous decision. How the hell does the referee miss that? Blatant handball and atrocious decision.

Simon F – A definite handball, QPR should have had a penalty.

David – His arm goes up, and it isn’t to protect his head or body. Significant deflection of the ball as a result. Handball offence for me.

Callum – Penalty.

Michael – I’d let it go. It hits the arm but as a Sunderland fan I can assure you it is safe to assume Jordan Henderson was jumping with his eyes closed so the contact was almost certainly unintentional. In all seriousness, I just don’t think there was enough in it.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Swansea – Aston Villa

Weimann Penalty (Given)

Simon M – No argument about this one. Goes through the back of Weimann and the referee had no choice.

Simon F – A nailed on penalty, Dyer makes a silly challenge and clearly clips Weimann.

David – The rear angle shows him, on a very slowed down replay, with his foot tripping the Villa man as he was turning. I’m not sure the Villa player was going to be able to stay on his feet (his other foot was on its toes) but I think it was a foul.

Callum – Handball and a sweep at Weimann. Penalty.

Michael – A veritable stone-waller. Stupid challenge that got what it deserved.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Man Utd – Wigan

Kone Goal Disallowed For Offside

Simon M – It’s very close, but he is off and it was a good spot from the officials.

Simon F – Kone’s head is just offside, and according to the laws of the game that counts, so the goal was rightly chalked off.

David – His head and left foot are ahead of the last defender. Excellent call from the linesman.

Callum – Just offside. Good decision.

Michael – Yeah, offside. Not by a great deal but it was definitely offside.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Smalling Last Man Foul (Yellow Given)

Simon M – Another poor decision. If it’s a foul then it’s last man and a red. Think the referee has bottled that one.

Simon F – It’s difficult to tell which way the ball is bouncing from the video we have, and the Wigan player didn’t have the ball under control. It’s my suspicion that one of the covering defenders would have got a challenge in and it wasn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity.

David – He shoves him certainly, and I think he would have had enough space for the goal scoring opportunity. A red.

Callum – Last man, red card.

Michael – I don’t think it was a foul. That said, if the referee deemed it a foul then he should have sent off Smalling. Wrong decision, whichever way you want to look at it.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Man City – Stoke

Silva Penalty (Given)

Simon M – Stoke hardly even challenged this decision, which is incredible, not only because Stoke and Pulis are usually such massive gobshites, but because it definitely wasn’t in the area. Atrocous decision.

Simon F – It’s definitely a foul but for me it’s outside the penalty area and doesn’t continue inside, so it should have been a free kick.

David – A commenter actually pointed out last week that a foul started outside the box and continued (like shirt pulling) inside the box is a penalty according to the laws of the game. But this is a trip that happens outside the box with Silva falling inside it. A foul, but not a penalty.

Callum – Free-kick. Only fell into the penalty area.

Michael – I think the even if it was a foul, it happened outside the box. Scandalously poor decision.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Spurs – Reading

Free Kick For Reading Goal

Simon M – That’s not a free kick. He feels a little contact from the defender and goes over. It’s incredibly soft.

Simon F – The law says “trips or attempts to trip” and I don’t think the defender is guilty of either. He nicks the ball away and then Pogrebnyak flicks his leg into the defender to make sure there is contact as he’s going over. No foul.

David – Sticks the leg out, nowhere near the ball. Clear-cut for me. A foul.

Callum – Won the ball. No free-kick.

Michael – Looked a very good tackle to me to get a firm toe on the ball, but I can understand why it deceived the referee a little.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

West Ham – Norwich

Reid Penalty (Given)

Simon M – I saw someone say that if you give a penalty for that then you would have dozens of penalties every game. I don’t see holding like that every game and every time there is holding like that then a penalty should be given.

Simon F – The defender is clearly preventing Reid from competing for the ball.

David – Pulling his shirt and holding the front of him. Clearly infringing on his movement. A penalty.

Callum – At first, it doesn’t look like anything, but then Bennett has got a big hold of Reid’s shirt. Penalty.

Michael – I was amazed by this one. Surely this is a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other. Both players are doing the exact same thing. Should have just let them battle it out. Very poor decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Possible Reid Handball In Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Why’s his hand there? Should have been a penalty.

Simon F – Another “arm in an unnatural position” case and Reid had plenty of time to get out of the way.

David – His arm is up high, isn’t being turned from the ball and moves it in a big way. Handball for me.

Callum – Penalty.

Michael – Hit the hand but he is being wrestled to the ground a little so I don’t think it would have been fair to give it.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Kane Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – There’s not all that much in it, but I do think there’s just enough to put Kane off and send him tumbling. I would have given it.

Simon F – The Norwich player barges into Tomkins and knocks them both over. No penalty.

David – Frankly, I think this should have been two yellows cards for simulation. The West Ham man hits the ground like he’s trying to excuse his lack of pace and the Norwich lad is looking for it. I can’t see enough contact to justify either fall.

Callum – Enough there to put Kane out I think, as Tomkins has fallen into him. Penalty.

Michael – I’d have probably given that. There is some clear contact and the defender never looked in a position to win it.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Southampton – Arsenal

Possible Port Handball In Area (Not Given)

Simon M – Na. Way too close and not even sure it hits a hand.

Simon F – The defender is trying to get his arm out of the way and the ball is flicked up from close range.

David – I think it’s his shoulder. On the line anyway.

Callum – Not for me.

Michael – I think it happens that fast that it would be too harsh to give it. Plus, I am not THAT sure it was even in the box. Good call.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Disallowed Southampton Goal

Simon M – If it was offside it was wrong because the goalscorer wasn’t offside and if it was for a push it was wrong because he hardly touched the defender.

Simon F – The grey area of the rules, he’s not interfering with play and so the goal should have stood.

David – His arms touch the Arsenal mans back, but he doesn’t push off and he’s challenging for an incoming ball. Neither of the Southampton players were offside either. A bad call, should have stood.

Callum – A push?! What? Nope. Goal would stand if I was officiating.

Michael – Offside can be something of a minefield these days but the wrong player was flagged there. There is a man offside but he genuinely isn’t interfering with play at all. Goal should have stood.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Chelsea – QPR

Marin Tackle (Yellow Given)

Simon M – That’s a disgraceful tackle and a disgraceful decision

Simon F – Out of control and excessive force, a definite candidate for a straight red card.

David – That’s a dangerous, studs out lunge. The lack of contact with those studs is probably what saves him, so I’ll side with the ref on this occasion.

Callum – Red card.

Michael – Very nasty. Should have been a red card and I struggle to even conceive of an argument that claims otherwise.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Lampard Disallowed Goal

Simon M – It’s very tight, but correct. Great spot from the linesman.

Simon F – I think he’s just level and the goal should have stood.

David – Just a foot or so offside when the ball is played.

Callum – Just offside.

Michael – JUST. Wow that is close, but the right decision.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Liverpool – Sunderland

Possible Suarez Foul In Build Up To Goal

Simon M – Is that a dive from Culler? Maybe a slip? Certainly not a Suarez foul.

Simon F – Is there a suggestion this was a foul by Suarez? Nonsense. He was fouled by Cuellar and Phil Dowd played an excellent advantage.

David – I imagine everyone has forgotten about this incident after FA Cup weekend. The linesman is very close and has a perfect view of it, so I’m somewhat sceptical of the legality of the contact. It’s hard to see from the angle and video quality, but I don’t think it’s the shoulder contact the linesmen is waving for, but maybe a foot trip, possibly with his right leg on the Sunderland players left. However, I cannot bring myself to say so conclusively. Since I can’t judge “maybe” I’ll go with the Ref’s opinion.

Callum – Was a foul, but play can go on, and it did.

Michael – Suarez was strong, Cuellar was a tart. Simple as that. Fine piece of refereeing all round.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Allen Disallowed Goal

Simon M – He’s offside, just.

Simon F – Downing has just strayed offside.

David – Downing is just beyond the last defender and offside.

Callum – Just offside.

Michael – Quite clearly offside I think. Very little cause for debate.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Newcastle – Everton

Free Kick For Everton Goal

Simon M – Got to expect someone as strong as Fellaini to deal with that level of jostling. He goes down easily and cons the ref.

Simon F – An arm in the back from Coloccini and a clip of the legs from Tiote. A foul could have been given for either.

David – Yeesh that seems really soft to me but I suppose there was a slight trip.

Callum – Combination of the two there, looks as if the other Newcastle player clips him after the initial push too.

Michael – I think that’s a soft one. I really don’t like to see players rewarded for being weak in a physical contest, especially when the one deciding to be weak is a giant with an afro. Bad decision.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

Ameobi Penalty Shout (Not Given)

Simon M – Looks like a tangle of legs rather than a foul.

Simon F – Ameobi puts himself across Neville and then his back leg catches the Everton man and sends himself flying. No penalty.

David – I don’t think so. Neville gets there first, Ameobi’s leg bangs into the defenders, he goes down theatrically, and he already has his hand in the air looking for it before he hits the ground. Not a free for me.

Callum – Neville’s leg gets caught between Ameobi’s. Not a penalty.

Michael – I’d have probably given that.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

***You can follow our judges on Twitter; Simon M – @Deb_Decisions, David @NFBblog, Callum @CallumMaclean81, Michael @Capt_Fishpaste and Simon F – @SFurnivall.