Debatable Decisions EPL – Week 8

As with the SPL, the referees in England kept themselves mostly quiet this week with only seven incidents for us to look at between the ten games. That doesn’t deter our three judges, however, and there was plenty to get them irritated.

West Brom vs Man City

Milner red card

Callum – Milner’s last man, and Long was through there had Milner not dived in. Red card correct decision.

David – Doesn’t get near the ball, clear goalscoring opportunity. I think Long is one on one if that foul isn’t made, regardless of Lescott’s movement. He has to go. Correct decision.

Simon – I have to agree with my fellow judges, Milner denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and had to go.

Overall verdict: Correct decision

West Ham vs Southampton

Carroll penalty

Callum – Looks like there’s a tug of the hair, which is foul play in my eyes. Again, penalty the correct decision.

David – Certainly looks like he has grabbed a hold of Carroll’s hair and yanked back. Penalty.

Simon – I have to admire the ingenuity of the foul, hair-pulling isn’t an offence often seen in the game, but it is a penalty and the referee was right to give it.

Overall verdict: Correct decision

Swansea vs Wigan

Kone goal disallowed for offside

Callum – The camera isn’t exactly level, but I think he’s just offside. Good call from the linesman.

David – Oh, that is a close one. I know the camera angle can be a bit deceptive in situations like this, but I think he’s onside, just. Incorrect decision.

Simon – It’s a very tight decision, but I think Kone is just onside and the goal should have stood.

Overall verdict: Incorrect decision

Sunderland vs Newcastle

Tiote red card

Callum – Think that’s a harsh sending off, but one that is correct. He’s been fouled first, which wasn’t given, and then he’s been penalised. Bit of a wild swing and he’s got nowhere near the ball. Sending off correct.

David – He was getting fouled himself in the run-up to this, but regardless, leg high on the shin of Fletcher. Hard to tell how hard it was. I’m going to give the referee the benefit of the doubt here, because I really dislike those kind of tackles. If any number of factors are different, a serious injury can occur. Correct decision.

Simon – The fact that he was getting fouled first is immaterial, he has a wild swing at Fletcher and connects shin high well after the ball has gone. A clear red card in my book.

Overall verdict: Correct decision

Q.P.R. vs Everton:

Jelavic penalty shout

Callum – Looks like a penalty to me, Jelavic impeded by the defender.

David – BBC man will disagree, but I really don’t think there is contact with the foot in this situation. I think Jelavic is a bit off balance and goes to ground when the defender goes past him. Correct decision.

Simon – Jelavic may go over a little easily, but it looks clear to me that the defender has stood on his foot and caught him as he passed, and Everton should have had a penalty.

Overall verdict: Incorrect decision

Pienaar second yellow

Callum – Classic Bosingwa. That is a ridiculous booking. Pienaar done nothing wrong at all there. Incorrect decision.

David – No way. No contact made with his left foot, the defender nudges him with his own. Incorrect decision.

Simon – Ridiculous decision. Pienaar didn’t even come close to making contact with Bosingwa; there isn’t even a foul here, let alone a booking.

Overall verdict: Incorrect decision

Hoilett penalty shout

Callum – Nowhere near the ball, can’t see how a penalty wasn’t given for it.

David – Trips him here, pretty obvious infringement. Penalty.

Simon – A clear trip, a clear penalty. As a side note, why is the way the defender immediately points at the ball, despite quite obviously getting nowhere near it, not treated with the same contempt as an attacker diving to try and win a penalty? Both are blatant attempts to con the referee.

Overall verdict: Incorrect decision