The curious case of 2 offsides

How often have we seen decisions made by the officials of any sport affect the outcome of a match? Be it cricket, football, hockey or any other sport, bad calls made by umpires and referees can turn the match on their heads, sometimes to such an extent that it could affect someone’s entire tour or entire season. 28th October 2012 was no different.

Two of the biggest matches were to be played. The Merseyside derby and the top of the table clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. Apart from good football you can expect a lot of hard tackles, yellow cards and red cards in such encounters and undoubtedly there were plenty to be seen. But I would like to keep all of this aside and focus mainly on two decisions, one each in either match. Two decisions which could shape up the rest of the season? Well I don’t know, because it’s too early to say but the two teams who have been on the wrong side of the receiving end will be sitting bitter, wondering how luck cheated them after some great display of competitive football.

Contrasting images

Liverpool, who got off to their worst start in their Premier League in about a hundred years under Brendan Rodgers, seemed to finally find their feet under the new manager. For the past month or so they have played exceptional football and it’s only the results which have eluded them, and thanks to a dubious decision made by the linesman in closing seconds of injury time; the trend continues. A Gerrard free kick met fairly by Sebastian Coates, headed across the goal to be guided home by Luis Suarez was ruled offside. Replays from various angles showed that neither when the free kick was taken nor when Coates headed the ball was any Liverpool player offside. Even David Moyes agreed that they were lucky to get the offside decision in their favour.

The Clash of the Titans, Chelsea vs Manchester United turned out be a replica of the Merseyside clash with the away team scoring the first two goals and the home team putting up a good fight to draw level again. But this match had an ending totally opposite to that at Goodison Park. Cech cleared his lines after he saved a van Persie shot only for the ball to be received by Rafael. Rafael’s shot was turned in by a retreating Javier Hernandez right on the goal line and the Chelsea players started claiming for offside but the linesman had made his decision and the goal stood. Chelsea, who had been unbeaten in the Premier League this season, finally suffered their first defeat and Man. Utd recorded their first win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after 10 years.

Luis Suarez celebrates in front of David Moyes

The same night was chosen for some really good football followed by a highly dramatic finish to the matches. On one hand where there were so many similarities between the two games, there was a contrasting finish. A villain to the eyes of others but a hero at Anfield, Suarez again justified why his presence means so much to fans of Liverpool and what impact he can have when he is on song. A team going through the phase of rebuilding would have gained so much confidence with an away win against their local rivals, only to be marred by a bad decision. Another team playing some of the best football, high on confidence, showing character and peaking at the right time, displaying the strength in their will, and deservedly at the top, was undone by a poor, poor decision.

Like I have said, it might be too early to predict how these results would affect the course of the Premier League but one thing is sure that such decisions can have an effect on the final standings. Who knows, Everton might finish the season at 4th place with 63 points and Liverpool 5th with 62 only. Who knows, Man Utd and Chelsea might finish at the top with 85 and Man Utd end up winning the title. I leave not with a statement but a question. A question which will be answered only at the end of the season. A question which might loom large only on the minds who have been on the wrong side of the receiving end.