Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
The FA Challenge Cup brings back great memories for me having refereed the 100th Final between Manchester City v Liverpool in 1981.
I was also senior linesman in the 1979 Cup Final between Arsenal v Manchester United
I have reviewed a number of games from the Third Round, providing my thoughts on the performances of the referees.
Liverpool v Everton 1-0
Referee: Jonathan Moss
This was a very entertaining game with players from both sides on their best behaviour and serving up an entertaining game.
Referee Jon Moss delivered his best performance of the season, applying some very good advantages and once again he demonstrated improved movement on the field of play.
There was one challenge by Calvert-Lewin of Everton was worthy of a yellow card.
Both goalkeepers made some stunning saves during the game. The main talking point though was the winning goal which was stunning. The goal was scored by man of the match, Curtis Jones.
Crystal Palace v Derby County 0-1
Referee: Michael Oliver
Wayne Rooney was playing his first game following his return from the MLS. However the big talking point of the game and the weekend was Michael Oliver creating history by reviewing his yellow card decision after the intervention of VAR David Coote.
Yes, the pitch side monitor was used, and Michael showed courage by correctly issuing a red card sanction to Crystal Palace Milivojevic.
Frankly, I have been calling for this VAR pitch side monitor to be used for a long time now. I hope that the PGMOL Boss now changes his stance and gives the opportunity to referees to use it.
Derby County won the game 1-0
Middlesbrough v Tottenham Hotspur
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Referee Attwell was once again trusted with a top appointment.
The home team scored the first goal with a tight offside decision. This was a game where VAR was not in operation. If it had been in use, this goal would have been ruled out for offside,
Spurs quickly responded with an equaliser.
This was an entertaining game which ended in a one-one draw and both teams go into the hat for the next round draw. The replay will have VAR in operation which is unsatisfactory in my opinion. It should be all or nothing in my view.
This was another good performance from Referee Attwell who continues to build his reputation and I applaud his fitness.
Sheffield United v AFC Fylde 2-1
Referee: Jarred Gillet
It was great to see former top FIFA Australian referee Gillet in charge of this tie. He demonstrated his great level of fitness when he chased down a powerful breakaway by the away team to be a few yards from a challenge inside the United penalty area. He correctly turned down appeals for a penalty kick. Well done Jarred!
Gillingham v West Ham United 0-2
Referee: Andy Madley
Gillinghams Alfie Jones pulled back the West Ham player Lanzini. Shortly afterwards there was a clear pulling offence on a West Ham player that should have resulted in a penalty kick. The incident was unseen by the official.
Zabaleta put West Ham in front in the 74th minute with a shot that went through the legs of the advancing goalkeeper.
West Ham scored a second goal in the 94th minute in a tie that was comfortably managed by referee Madley, who was recently elevated to the FIFA panel.
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest 2-0
Referee Peter Bankes
Chelsea took the lead in the opening six minutes.
After good movement by the referee he was in a good position to award a penalty kick to Nottingham Forest. However with VAR in operation, the penalty kick was overruled in favour of yet another one of those tight offside decisions.
On this occasion I could see that the forward was clearly offside. I did not have to wait for those lines been drawn across the pitch!
Chelsea scored a second with no need to review VAR on this one – a good call by the Assistant to keep his flag down
Forest had the ball in the back of the net but sadly it was ruled out by the tightest of margins VAR ruling that the player was offside.
Peter Bankes needs to practice the VAR procedural signal by making the square signal first then raising his arm to indicate offside. It is small point, but uniformity of signals is important.
Burton Albion v Northampton Town 2-4
Referee Jeremy Simpson
The away team opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game. There was no delay in another match where VAR was not in operation.
At Last!!
Clearly The FA have in their FA Challenge Cup Competition have instructed referees to use the pitch-side monitors.
Above is a picture of Michael Oliver using the Monitor to review a red card offence. Having reviewed the incident, he issued a red card.
The FA (being members of IFAB) are following the protocol which they were involved in writing and approving.
Keith Hackett
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