Debatable decisions – Week ten

Debatable Decisions benefits from an almost full Saturday schedule this week and with no prizes for guessing who the spotlight fell on, it’s becoming something of a recurring theme to see Suarez labelled as a diver and Arsenal fans complaining about decisions, even when they win, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy.

Chelsea – Arsenal

Sturridge Offside GoalChelsea thought they had extended their lead when Sturridge nipped in in front of his marker to convert a cross from the right wing. Celebrations were cut short, however, when the players realised the linesman had called for offside.

Simon: “This was really close and I think we have to give the linesman some credit for catching this. Definitely offside and an excellent call.”

Ben: “Unlike my colleague, I thought that this was a call the linesman should be getting right. Luckily for Arsenal, he did just that.”

Comments from other judges: “Only just offside but only just is off is all it takes.” & “He is just offside.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Szczesney Yellow For Tackle On Cole.The Chelsea left back burst forward, hoping to latch on to a through ball, but the Arsenal keeper was off his line faster than someone can work out how to pronounce his name. Unfortunately, Cole got to the ball first, poking it past Scezney who followed through and brought Cole down. Stamford Bridge called for red, the referee showed yellow.

Simon: “This looked a lot worse in real time than it did in the replays, he seems to pull out just in time, but he obviously does catch him. That said, I’ve read a lot of people saying that a keeper out means a red card, I don’t buy that and it was a silly tackle, but there was cover and I don’t see how poking the ball past the keeper and away from goal counts as a goal-scoring chance, so a yellow seems fair to me.”

Ben: “Seen a lot suggesting the tackle alone is worth a red which I simply cannot agree with. I also think there is way too much to do still so I also don’t think he should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.”

Comments from other judges: “There seems to be a body of opinion that Szczesny denied a goal scoring opportunity. I think there were enough defenders back that a yellow would have been the right decision. However, the challenge itself was a little high and I do feel Szczesny had lost control. For that reason, it should have been red.” & “I thought he was going to get sent off when watching it live but it was only a yellow as in my opinion it is not denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Mata Goal, Santos Fouled In Build UpIn the build up to Mata’s excellent strike it appeared that Lukaku had obstructed and fouled Andre Santos, who had been making a beeline for the marauding Spaniard. Had the foul been given, the shot wouldn’t have been taken and the goal not scored.

Simon “I think this was a foul, Lukaku deliberately blocks Santos, it’s off the ball and should probably have earned Lukaku a yellow, let alone Arsenal a FK. Very disappointing from the officials as it would have stopped the goal and was plain to see.”

Ben: “Obstruction seems to be rarely given nowadays, and I often find myself baffled when players get away with it. Lukaku didn’t necessarily trip Santos but he did block him so he couldn’t even challenge Meireles.”

Comments from other judges: “Seen these given and seen people get away with it I don’t think it was a foul.” & “I’d be very disappointed to see a free-kick for this. There’s not a lot in it and I’m not sure why Santos goes down so easily.”

Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision

Norwich City – Blackburn Rovers

Ruddy Catch, Over Line?A cross into the area and a routine catch for the Norwich number one, but he fumbled it slightly and in doing so stepped back over the line, which resulted in the obvious calls from fans who felt the ball had crossed the line with him.

Simon: “100% of the ball over the line is the rule and there’s just no way of telling if it is all over the line or not, I like to see keepers given the benefit of the doubt in these circumstances, but it’s yet another decision that adds weight to the goal-line tech argument.”

Ben: “I’m pretty sure that the whole ball wasn’t over the line, there is a small element of doubt however. In spite of that, or actually because of that, I’m going to have to say the officials got it right. There are incidents like this when it seems like the linesman takes an educated guess and sometimes awards the goal. In most cases as close as this – the linesman can’t be sure so I don’t think he can’t give it.”

Comments from other judges: “This was a close one. However, it doesn’t look like the whole ball crosses the line.” & “I cannot see 100 percent if it goes completely over the line so will have to side with the officials.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Norwich PenaltyWith the clock ticking down Blackburn looked to be on their way to a priceless victory, but it wasn’t to be and tears were shed when the referee awarded Norwich a last minute penalty for a handball in the area, it was dispatch and three points dropped to one.

Simon: “I actually feel this is the worst decision of the season, so far. The player is looking in the opposite direction, clearly has no idea where the ball is and it drops onto his arm, no way was it intentional and a woeful decision has cost Blackburn a much needed three points, whereas Norwich suddenly find themselves getting the odd decision here and there, compared to their awful start to the decisions season.”

Ben: “An awful decision in truth, N’Zonzi had no idea where the ball was and it was unfortunate to hit him. Feel for Kean on this one, it would have been a massive win for him and his team.”

Comments from other judges: “Very harsh penalty this one and I would not have awarded it.” & “N’zonzi seems to think he’s fouled but I can’t see the foul myself. As for the handball, it’s supposed to be deliberate and N’zonzi clearly isn’t trying to handle it. But we know that having your arms extended like that will get you in trouble if the ball hits one of them.”

Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision

Man City – Wolves

Kompany Red Card And Penalty

A spilled save from Joe Hart (must resist urge to comment) lead to a penalty area dash between Kompany and Doyle, the Irishman had the edge on his Belgian counterpart, which seemed to lead to a push that resulted in a fall and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing towards the spot.

Simon: “Meh, I thought Doyle went down pretty easy and it’s one of those ones where I would rather see a penalty given, not a penalty and a red because you’re punishing twice for one foul, but as far as the rules go the referee made the correct decision.”

Ben: “I think the ref probably got this one right, but it’s close. The one thing that makes me think he got it right is that it appears that Kompany is holding Doyle back. If he didn’t pull him back, I think his strength alone would have been enough to put Doyle off and I’d have called it the other way.”

Comments from other judges: “This was a penalty and if it was a penalty then he has to be sent off for denying the player a clear goal.” & “I don’t think Kompany can have too many complaints. He has clearly denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Sunderland – Aston Villa

Free-kick In Build Up To Villa GoalA free kick awarded to Villa on the left wing, for a “foul” on Agbonlahor, the result of the set piece was a headed goal and Villa taking the lead, much to Sunderland fan’s chagrin.

Simon: “It was soft, but there was definitely a little nibble at Agbonlahor’s ankles. Foolish really, the Villa man wasn’t going anywhere so there was no need to make the tackle.”

Ben: “I’m calling this as a dive and I have to disagree with Simon. I don’t think there is contact, and one big indication that Agbonlahor is looking for it is during his fall, he looks over at the referee. If you’re actually hurt, enough to hold your ankle, would you really be concerned about what the referee is doing? I didn’t buy it and had to laugh at McLeish complaining about a decision later on.”

Comments from other judges: “No foul, if it was why did Agbonlahor start holding his leg then suddenly he was alright again, just another cheating footballer.” & “This one is a joke. Larsson is doing nothing more than trying to box Agbonlahor in on the touchline. Does he swing a foot? No. Does he barge into Agbonlahor? No. Does Agbonlahor drop to the floor like he’s been shot in the kneecaps? Yes. This is just plain cheating.”

Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision

Free-kick In Build Up To Sunderland GoalSimilar to the Villa goal, Sunderland equalised thanks to a headed goal from a free kick on the wing. The kick was awarded as a result of a foul by Richard Dunne, the big centre-back made his feelings that the referee had made a mistake known, and then some.

Simon: “Definite free-kick, no idea why Dunne even bothered complaining about it.”

Ben: “I wasn’t sure about this at first but after seeing the replay, Dunne quite clearly blocks Sessegnon off.”

Comments from other judges: “Some might see it as Dunne being too strong but I thought his arm came out and pushed Sessegnon over.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Man Utd – Everton

Everton Penalty Shout Players going down in the area as a result of the slightest of touches is part and parcel of the modern game, but players going down as a result of a self inflicted slip and claiming a penalty is something new, even for us.

Simon: “This would have rivalled the Norwich penalty for softest penalty of the season, if it had been given. He seems to run into Evra, slip as he does it, go down and then claim he was pushed. Good decision from the officials.”

Ben: “It’s sad state of affairs when it’s not surprising to see players appeal for a penalty when they clearly just slipped over.”

Comments from other judges: “You’ve seen them given. There’s a touch of clumsiness about it from the man masquerading as Patrice Evra this season. Nevertheless, there’s not any meaningful contact.” & “No way a penalty he just slipped over.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Swansea – Bolton

Ricardo Gardner First Tackle No Card & Subsequent CardsThe Bolton winger, left back, midfielder….whatever, started the game as he meant to go on when he launched into a strong and late tackle that escaped a card, the referee couldn’t avoid getting his cards out of his pocket after that and two further fouls from Gardner lead to an eventual red.

Simon: “He deserved to walk, if for nothing else then for being stupid enough to commit two stupid tackles, having made one really bad tackle and gotten away with it. The first deserved a yellow, so incorrect there, the other two weren’t awful, but considering he had been warned there’s no surprise that he saw red.”

Ben: “He made one bad tackle which he didn’t get booked for, there’s leniency from referees but Clattenburg took it a bit far on that one, great advantage played though. The tackle he got booked for wasn’t worthy of a yellow but it was for persistent fouling so again, not much complaint there. The pull he got sent off for was stupid and he had to go because it was as cynical as you’re likely to see.”

Comments from other judges: “He deserved to go I thought the first challenge was a yellow the second wasn’t. To then to pull someone back like that when you are already on a yellow just sums up how stupid footballers can be.” & “I’m not sure how to answer this. Is it several decisions or one overall decision? I will say INCORRECT-CORRECT=CORRECT. The first should have been a yellow..”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Pratley PenaltySwansea on the attack and the ball in the area with Rangel, who had his back to goal, Pratley seemed to dealing with him quite well, but suddenly launched into a sliding tackle and as we all know, a tackle in the area has to be perfect or the referee will point to the spot.

Simon: “You have Garner being thick in midfield and then one of your defenders goes through the back of an opposition player in the area, an opposition player who has his back to goal and no chance of getting a shot in….must be something in the water in Bolton. Definite penalty, terrible defending.”

Ben: “While Swansea were in a dangerous position, Rangel wasn’t going to score from that position. Pratley was actually doing a decent job of making sure that if he was to score, it would have had to have been something very special. You can only assume he was confident of getting the ball but you have to be certain, not just confident.”

Comments from other judges: “Clear penalty.” & “Although not a bad tackle at the end of the day it doesn’t look like he touched the ball and a tackle from behind where you do not get the ball is a penalty.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Liverpool – West Brom

Suarez Penalty

The Liverpool forward has been much maligned for going to ground a little too easily and as a result every single decision given his way is questioned by opposition fans, especially when a tumble results in a penalty and the opening goal for the away team.

Simon: “I’m actually pretty surprised by the amount of people who have complained about this penalty, claiming that it wasn’t a penalty. Yes, I felt the ball had run away from Suarez, but the defender seemed more intent on getting his body in the way of the Uruguayan than clearing the ball. I felt this was a clear penalty and Suarez didn’t even make a meal of it.”

Ben: “I’m utterly baffled as to the controversy of this one. My views on Suarez should be well known by know but even I can’t side with the Baggies on this one. It’s a penalty, a definite penalty. I wonder if Suarez’ well earnt reputation is the cause of the complaints? Perhaps even the cause of the referee not calling it?”

Comments from other judges: “Much as people seem to be bandying the word “soft” about, there’s nothing soft about a foul in the area being given as a penalty.” & “Possibly the worst penalty decision of the season, not sure what the linesman was thinking. The referee was looking and never gave it so the blame in my eyes is on the linesman.”

Overall Verdict: Correct Decision

Steven Reid HandballA ball into the area, Andy Carroll challenging for it and Steven Reid defending, the header back seemed to clip the West Brom defender’s arm and the usual conversations ensued, ball to hand, hand to ball?

Simon: “Hmmm, this is a dodgy one, the ball definitely strikes his hand, but is it intentional? The only thing i’m not sure about is why Reid’s hand is there in the first place, it’s not because of the way he’s running and if it had been given I don’t think I would have had too many complaints about it. However, I think when you’re no certain about these decisions the defender should get the benefit of the doubt, so correct decision for me.”

Ben: “Handballs are always hard to call so I won’t be too critical of the officials but this was a penalty. Reid’s arm is in an un-natural position, it also looks intentional, although it’s impossible to be sure.”

Comments from other judges: “I think that with your arm in that position, you have to expect a penalty against you. Might seem a contradiction given my opinion of the N’zonzi decision, but I think there is an element of deliberateness to this one.” & “Got to wonder why his hand was in the position but seeing the replays I do not think he did it on purpose and therefore have to agree with the officials on not giving it.”

Overall Verdict: Incorrect Decision