Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
A whistle-stop run through this weekend’s Premier League action from a referee’s point of view from regular contributor Keith Hackett, former referee.
Aston Villa vs Brighton and Hove Albion
In my opinion, the Brighton player Mooy can have no complaints about the red card issued by referee David Coote. The Brighton manager should be asking his player why, after the award of a free kick to Aston Villa, he decided to delay the free kick? The delay by the player left the referee no option other than to issue a yellow card for delaying the re-start.
Minutes later, Mooy committed a reckless challenge, probably out of frustration and received his second yellow.
Aston Villa were then complaining when they had what looked to be a perfectly good goal ruled out by the intervention of VAR (Video Assistant Referee). It was a tight call and frankly, it once again highlights for me that the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Official Board) are not operating the VAR correctly. The PGMOL should encourage their referees to make more use of the pitch-side monitor. These tight decisions are for the referee to make out and not the VAR. If referee David Coote had reviewed this decision and made the same call then it would have more credibility and acceptance.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Referee Anthony Taylor was in charge of this game which is always a surprising appointment given that he lives in Altrincham, a short distance from both Manchester clubs.
Having said that, his integrity is never in doubt and his movement and work-rate is to be admired. In my opinion, both he and Michael Oliver compete for the number one spot in English refereeing.
The opening goal by Gabriel Jesus after a terrific move by Raheem Sterling was world-class and is what sets the Premier League apart from other leagues around the world.
In this game, City’s Kevin deBruyne was fouled inside the penalty area. The VAR came into play and incorrectly called ‘No Penalty’. This decision was 100% wrong and another clear case for the referee to visit the pitch-side monitor. If Taylor (the match referee) had reviewed it then he would almost have pointed to the penalty mark.
Everton vs West Ham United
The game was well officiated by referee Paul Tierney with no controversial incidents to highlight.
Leicester City vs Burnley
Jon Moss was in charge of this game and frankly his running style and movement always leaves me in doubt that this referee should be on the panel of Premier League referees.
Burnley can feel aggrieved that they had a goal ruled out. With the ball heading for Burnley’s scorer Woods, his leg came into contact with Leicester defender Evans. The goal was awarded but then after a VAR review, it was ruled out. The contact was accidental and clearly not careless. Therefore, once again we have an incident where Moss should have viewed the pitch-side monitor. I was left nodding in agreement with Burnley’s manager Sean Dyche’s post-match comments.
Chelsea vs Newcastle United
Referee Andre Marrier officiated and the game passed without incident.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Watford
VAR was yet again the main talking point in this game!
The referee should have been pointing to the penalty spot after a clear foul by a Spurs player on his opponent inside the penalty area. Instead after VAR, they said that no penalty was the correct decision. This frankly was a massive error and a joke.
There was massive confusion in the game after a VAR review later when the message on the big screen in the stadium stated DECISION – NO GOAL. Referee Kavanagh pointed to the centre circle as responded to the message in his ear that stated that the goal shoul be allowed. What a mess!
I repeat that referee Kavanagh should have reviewed the decision himself on the pitch-side monitor.
The experts on Match of the Day wanted clarification on where the hand/arm comes into play on handball. I confirm that handball is judged up to where the sleeve of the shirt meets the stitching of the body of the shirt.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Southampton
Peter Bankes was in charge of this game and can be happy with the VAR interventions. The Wolves goal was correctly ruled out for offside and so Kevin Friend, the experienced VAR at Molineux supported the referee Bankes very well!
Bournemouth vs Norwich City
Guess what? A match where people were talking about the game and NOT referee Lee Mason!
Manchester United vs Liverpool
The main talking point in today’s Manchester United vs Liverpool game will centre around VAR!
The Liverpool goal was correctly ruled out due to the accidental handball by Sadio Mane in the build-up.
The law is one that I find very difficult to support and this is a clear reason why Mane had no intention of handling the ball.
Martin Atkinson chose not to blow up for a foul on a Liverpool player. The ball broke loose and Atkinson allowed play to continue. United score and then came the VAR review. The VAR decided to ignore the foul and decided to let the goal stand. Two wrongs don’t make right. Oh how it screamed out for Martin Atkinson to go across to the pitch-side monitor!
If he had done that, then whatever his decision, it would have been “sold” in a better way.
No doubt that another game takes place where VAR is the main taking point!
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