Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE REVIEW 10/11/12 JANUARY 2020
Friday 10 January Sheffield United 1-0 West Ham United
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Simon Bennett, Daniel Cook
Fourth official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 17 | 56 | 0 |
This was a really entertaining game that was very well officiated by our top referee Michael Oliver. The main conversation point centred around what West Ham United thought was an added-time equaliser at the end of the game. Celebrations and frustration were shown however when VAR correctly intervened and ruled out the ‘goal’ for an accidental handball in the build-up to the ball entering the net.
Saturday 11 January Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal
Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Marc Perry
Fourth official: Keith Stroud
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 16 | 48 | 1 |
This was certainly a challenging game for in-form referee Tierney. The main talking-point centred around an excessive force challenge by Arsenal’s Aubameyang who was shown a red card after VAR intervention. This was a good example of how VAR supports the referee. It is evident that Tierney did not have a clear view of the incident but replays supported the VAR intervention and red card sanction.
Saturday 11 January Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Beck
Fourth official: Gavin Ward
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 15 | 54 | 3 |
Burnley had the ball in the net but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
I was surprised that there was no intervention on Chelsea’s second goal by the VAR after one of their forwards clearly pushed a Burnley defender,
Saturday 11 January Everton 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Referee: David Coote
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Jonathan Moss
VAR: Michael Oliver
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 9 | 33 | 1 |
Everton’s Walcott was pulled in the penalty area early in the game but no penalty kick was awarded. I do think VAR should have intervened.
There was a further ‘goal’ ruled out for offside later on in the game.
Saturday 11 January Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth official: Robert Jones
VAR: Darren England
Assistant VAR: Stephen Child
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 18 | 76 | 3 |
It always amazes me that Altrincham resident Anthony Taylor is appointed to the Manchester clubs. However, in fairness, he has avoided controversy and it now appears to not present a problem.
The game was dominated by a very good performance by the home team. There were no problems for the match officials.
Saturday 11 January Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Newcastle United
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: Simon Long, Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Mike Dean
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR: Daniel Cook
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 6 | 24 | 0 |
Referee Bankes continues to establish himself at the elite level of English football. Almiron opened the scoring for Newcastle United. VAR had a review to determine if a penalty kick should be awarded. VAR correctly advised that no offence had been committed. Wolves scored and the game finished one-one. I hope that Referee Bankes is given another appointment in the next set of fixtures.
Saturday 11 January Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Liverpool
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth official: Andre Marriner
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 19 | 56 | 3 |
During the game, Liverpool’s Robertson was lucky to escape a yellow card for a clear reckless challenge. The referee failed to hold his gaze resulting in him missing the challenge completely.
Robinson later committed a second foul challenge and he was fortunate to stay on the field. It’s a difficult time for Spurs with their icon scorer Harry Kane being out injured. Son had a good chance to score but fired it well over the crossbar
Liverpool further cemented their leading position in the league with this one-nil win.
Saturday 11 January LEI 1–2 SOU
Referee: Lee Mason
Assistants: Richard West, Mark Scholes
Fourth official: Marc Edwards
VAR: Darren Bond
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 10 | 35 | 1 |
Sunday 12 January Bournemouth 0 – 3 Watford
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: Darren Cann, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: Peter Bankes
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR: Stephen Child
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 17 | 75 | 2 |
Referee Mike Dean delivered yet another outstanding performance, making the task of officiating a Premier League game look easy!
Bournemouth are a team who are struggling, whilst new Manager Nigel Pearson has made a terrific impact on Watford
Mike will shortly referee his 500th Premier League game a real milestone of his service at the top level of our game
Sunday 12 January Aston Villa 1 – 6 Manchester City
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Eddie Smart
Fourth official: David Coote
VAR: Graham Scott
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON | NUMBER OF YELLOW CARDS | NUMBER OF RED CARDS |
| 15 | 55 | 2 |
Manchester City were 4-0 up at half-time, having served up a feast of attacking, attractive football.
In these types of one-sided games, the referee must hold his concentration and still apply the law.
Keith Hackett
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