#7 Controversial decisions
(a) Craig Pawson; Stoke City vs. Leicester City
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Pawson officiated in the midweek fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United and had a howler; failing to send off Marcos Rojo was the glaring error from the previous game-week.
He followed that up with another controversial showing at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as Stoke hosted defending champions Leicester.
Jamie Vardy saw red for a challenge on Mame Biram Diouf, deemed dangerous by the referee but one that replays indicated was a harsh call, especially given that Vardy had got the ball. Pawson also ended up booking more than half of the Foxes for the most trivial of fouls while Stoke got away with some.
With Pawson set to be in-charge of the mouth-watering clash at Anfield as Liverpool host Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, fans would be crossing their fingers for a better showing from the official.
(b) Ross Barkley not sent off for challenge on Henderson
Referee Mike Dean had a relatively solid outing during the Merseyside derby; however, it is a mystery as to how Ross Barkley managed to stay on the pitch.
His rash tackle and needless foul on Origi should have earned him a booking but Dean let it pass. However, a studs-up challenge on the Liverpool captain should have been the end of the Everton man for the night but he somehow got away with a yellow.
Honourable mentions: Soft penalty awarded to West Ham (vs. Hull City), Manchester City’s first goal was arguably offside (vs. Arsenal)
