Just the three matches to consider in Sunday’s round of games, but they all threw up at least one big Debatable Decision and there was at least one incorrect decision in each too, talk about value for money. Could the unthinkable happen, a decision go against Stoke? Fulham involved in their first Debatable Decision of the season, but was it for against them? Read on to find out.
Bolton – Stoke
Bolton Opening GoalIn one of the biggest talking points of the weekend Bolton got their opening goal via a quickly taken free kick awarded for a backpass, the Stoke defence sleeping and Kevin Davies slid the ball into an empty net whilst Stoke keeper, Begovic, complained about the free kick.
Ben: “I really believe this to be an absolutely disgraceful goal to give. I don’t care if it was a backpass or not, you have to give Stoke the opportunity to defend that free-kick. Howard is usually a common-sense type of referee but he gave Stoke no chance on this one, absolutely shocking refereeing.”
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Simon: “I’m surprised by Tony Pulis’ post match reaction to this incident, though I think he was just making a point about how angry he was with his players involved in the incident. I don’t necessarily have a problem with Webb playing on, but I just don’t think it’s a backpass, the pass is completely mishit and somehow ends up in Begovic’s hands. Incorrect because the Klasnic free kick shouldn’t have been awarded.”
Comments from other judges: “Tony Pulis had no complaints after the match and he shouldn’t have. It was a backpass and it’s up to the referee whether you take it quickly or not. Stoke went to sleep. What was Begovic thinking?” & “I thought this was a back pass, he may not have meant to direct it at the GK but that’s where it ended up and Bolton were too quick for Stoke.”
Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision
Fulham – Spurs
Parker Penalty ShoutIn a rare second half foray forward Parker found himself making his way towards the Fulham goal, only to be felled by a challenge from Fulham’s Steve Sidwell, Spurs claimed a penalty, though a free kick seemed more likely, neither were given.
Ben: “Definite foul, definitely not a penalty.”
Simon: “It’s not a penalty, the foul takes place right on the edge of the area, but definitely not a penalty. Poor decision not to award a free-kick though.”
Comments from other judges: “I think the push in the back from Sidwell is enough for a penalty here.” & “This was a foul but I thought the contact was made right on the edge of the box so the referee was wrong he should have awarded a free kick.”
Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision
Kyle Walker HandballFulham absolutely battered Spurs in the second half and their back four resorted to desperate measures on more than one occasion, however, Walker seemed to take those measures too far when he seemed to cradle a loose ball in his arms, blocking the Fulham forwards from getting a shot in.
Ben: “A really frustrating bit of play here, Fulham were hammering the goal and had it not been for Walker’s ‘handy’ interference, the result may have been different. Definite handball.”
Simon: “In fairness to Walker, I don’t think he meant to handle the ball and it gets stuck in his arms more than anything. However, intentional or not, it’s obstructing play and gaining an unfair advantage, I would like to have seen a penalty awarded, but the cards staying in the referee’s pocket.”
Comments from other judges: “I’m not sure Walker intends to handle it when it first rebounds to him, but he definitely uses his arms to steer the ball away from trouble.” & “This was handball and a certain penalty.”
Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision
Wolves – Wigan
Hunt Penalty ShoutThe Wolves man burst into the Wigan area before rounding Ali Al Habsi and taking a little stumble, presumably as a result of “contact” before thinking twice about going down, jumping back up, playing on and then complaining a little bit more.
Ben: “I’ve seen a bit of a fuss made about Hunt being punished for staying on his feet and quite frankly I believe people want to make a point and so are using this as an example. Hunt stands on the keeper, the reason he got back up was that he knew that he wasn’t fouled.”
Simon: “Never a penalty. Fair play to him for catching himself on, but the fact he even thought about going down says it all.”
Comments from other judges: “There’s a lot of praise going Hunt’s way for staying on his feet but there’s also the fact Al-Habsi doesn’t connect with him. That would have been a harsh decision.” & “No penalty and I think Hunt didn’t believe it was either, otherwise he would have gone down on contact.”
Overall Verdict: Correct Decision
Johnson Penalty ShoutA corner to the far post and Wolves summer signing, Johnson, attempted to head the ball back into the danger area, only to see it blocked by the arm of Wigan’s Alcaraz. The referee deemed the contact unintentional and waved play on.
Ben: “A little off-topic but I never realised how many handball decisions there were until I started writing for this site! No intent here, a total accident and therefore the referee got it right.”
Simon: “He had his back to the ball, no way of knowing where it was and no chance of moving his arm before they connected, good decision from the ref because we have seen them given.”
Comments from other judges: “I’m not seeing a deliberate handball here.” & “Although it obviously hits his hand I think there is no intent there at and no real need to handball it.”
Overall Verdict: Correct Decision
Wigan PenaltyRoberto Martinez’s side were given hope of getting something from the match when they were given the opportunity to equalise via a penalty awarded for a Hunt foul on Emerson Boyce, a shoulder charge from the Irish winger sending the Wigan defender flying.
Ben: “Hunt knows exactly what he’s doing here, he wasn’t going to get the ball and just tried to block of the Wigan’s player. He did it but luckily, the referee was on hand to make the right decision.”
Simon: “Bizarre decision by Hunt to make that tackle, the referee had no choice, nothing debatable about it.”
Comments from other judges: “Not really a hard decision to make here. Hunt barges him off the ball.” & “This is a penalty the defender turns into the attacker and although the attacker may not have had the ball under full control it was a foul.”
Overall Verdict: Correct Decision
Alcaraz Spitting IncidentAn off the ball incident resulted in the Paraguayan centre back spitting on Wolves’ Richard Stearman, the referee missed it, the cameras didn’t.
Ben: “I’m not sure what to say about this, do you get a red card and a match ban for spitting or should the referee just report it? Enough has been said about it by now but it’s a really disgusting thing to do and there should be no place for it in the game. Hopefully, there’ll be a hefty punishment given out.”
Simon: “Spitting on an opponent is considered serious misconduct and according to the rules results in a straight red card. The FA have done the right thing and handed out a three match ban, but in fairness to the officials it would have been difficult to spot something like this as it seemed to take place in the middle of a nothing situation.”
Comments from other judges: “Not always the easiest thing for an official to see. Disgusting behaviour, though.”
Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision
