Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
GROUND STAFF
Given the poor weather conditions over several weeks, it is amazing how the teams of groundstaff deliver exceptional playing surfaces. Well done to these groundsmen.
At this time of the season, I can recall in my career ploughing through the mud and sand ankle deep!
At the grassroots level, we are seeing many cancellations and that sadly means many players and match-officials have to cram in games to finish their season.
Friday 28 February
Norwich City 1-0 Leicester City
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Richard West, Neil Davies
Fourth official: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Graham Scott
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 15 | 62 | 2 |
Craig Pawson continued his good run of form and delivered a very good performance.
He has increased his on-field work rate including several dynamic sprints and this change as resulted in him taking up some good viewing positions. His decision-making was accurate and he remained calm and displayed positive body language. Well done.
These were a massive three points for the home team. There was VAR intervention to correctly rule out a Leicester City goal for handball in the build-up
Saturday 29th February
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Crystal Palace
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: Daniel Cook, Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Tim Robinson
VAR: Kevin Friend
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 24 | 69 | 3 |
This was one of those games that can often result in players and fans venting their frustration on the match officials.
I am glad to report that the reliable and experienced referee Martin Atkinson delivered a game without any controversial incidents.
Early in the game claims by the home fans for a penalty-kick were correctly refused thanks to the credible position of the referee who ‘sold’ his non-award in a positive manner.
One aspect of the game that worried me was when Martin failed to immediately stop the game for a head injury. I do think that this is an aspect of a referee’s performance where we need to react quickly and stop the game.
Earlier in the day the Law Makers the IFAB announced at their annual meeting that they intend to start to experiment to introduce head injury substitutes.This is to ensure that there is no time pressure on the inspection procedure. Players sustaining a head injury will be thoroughly checked.
This week the Football Association announced changes to stop heading for players aged 12 and below in training. In America, competitions for these young people have had a heading ban in for a number of years.
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: Graham Scott
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Andrew Garratt
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 16 | 40 | 2 |
The home team missed two early chances to take the lead and were then punished by Alonso of Chelsea who opened the scoring.
Bournemouth then brought the score level by scoring from a corner kick, the Chelsea defenders did not do a good job in marking their opponents.
Bournemouth took the lead, their goal confirmed after a quick VAR check. Later in the game, Alonso scored his second goal of the game and the match finished 2-2.
I’m delighted to report that the game was played in a good spirit. The experience of Referee Andre Marriner allowed him to adopt a low-key approach which assisted the flow and entertainment value of the game.
The players know him well and over the years he has rightly earned their respect. A safe pair of hands from a guy who I managed in my time at the PGMOL.
Referee: Andy Madley
Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes
Fourth official: Stephen Martin
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR: Stephen Child
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 9 | 1 | 38 |
I was very disappointed to read a few days ago that this referee had failed his fitness test whilst on his first International camp.
I had already expressed my concerns that a referee with then only three Premier League games under his belt could be handed a FIFA badge. I can tell you of many former top-class referees who never achieved that status. One of them was Alan Wiley, who was an outstanding official.
There is no doubt that if this referee wants to progress on the International stage, then he must get into the gym and start to take on-board a lifestyle change. His focus needs to be aimed at improving his speed profiles in order to maintain improved proximity to play. This is a requirement of top referees.
In this no-score drawn game, Referee Madley was faced with very few challenges. It is noticeable that he stops his runs a good ten yards from the penalty area. I suggest that this is not good enough. When appropriate, he needs to be prepared to penetrate the penalty area to make those crucial decisions and not rely on VAR to act as a lifebelt.
West Ham United 3-1 Southampton
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth official: Robert Jones
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR: Richard West
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 22 | 90 | 4 |
The first big call was for Anthony Taylor (who was ideally positioned) to turn down the home team’s appeals for a penalty-kick. It was an excellent piece of officiating and a positive learning-point for young referees.
The proximity to play when making these big calls helps to ‘sell’ the decision.
The home team dominated play and ran out 3-1 winners. VAR checked one of the goals using the screen and responded quickly to confirm that it was okay.
Well done Anthony Taylor who added to the list of positive refereeing performances weekend to date.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett
Fourth official: Jonathan Moss
VAR: Mike Dean
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 22 | 67 | 0 |
Michael Oliver produced a very good performance, maintaining a low-key approach and managing the game very effectively.
My advice to him would be to try to introduce a smile into his body language and communication skills.
In the 41st minute of the game the challenge by Watford’s Deeney on Liverpool’s Oxlade Chamberlain was reckless and should have received a sanction of a yellow card.
I would now like to see this team of officials be appointed on all OF Michael’s future games as he works towards a potential World Cup 22 selection.
Law 12
Reckless Challenge is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned (yellow card)
Sunday 1st March
Everton 1-1 Manchester United – An extended view of the match
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Jonathan Moss
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 19 | 61 | 0 |
The game got off to a quick start when Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea was slow to clear. He kicked the ball towards an Everton player Calvert-Lewin and he put Everton 1-0 up.
Manchester United equalised when Bruno Fernandes beat a sprawling Everton goalkeeper Pickford who should have done better.
As the game moved towards half-time, some frustration and heat came into the game and a rather one paced Referee Kavanagh failed to pick this up and adjust his involvement immediately.
When this happens, small fouls should be penalised, the referee should slows the game down and impose his authority. With this, there should be a change in player behaviour.
Events from the 40th minute to half-time:
41st minute: A clash between Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Everton’s Dominic Shaw resulted in them both being shown yellow cards.
43rd minute: Tom Davies Everton was guilty of a reckless challenge and correctly issued with a yellow.
45th minute: Harry Maguire was shown a yellow card for another reckless challenge.
The half-time whistle came and gave a chance for Referee Kavanagh over refreshment to talk to his colleagues who hopefully advised him to tighten up his approach.
Authority and control must be at the forefront of a referee’s performance
United’s Lindelöf is cautioned nine minutes into the second half
In the 69th minute Referee Kavanagh was in a good position awarded a free-kick to Everton for a handling offence by Fred. We then saw the Manchester United player run towards the referee and contact was made by Fred into the referee’s chest. He received a yellow card and was rather lucky to escape a red.
The fault with this referee’s performance is that at times the distance between him and the action is allowed to stretch, resulting in him missing offences. I also feel that he is weak in the area of upper-body fouls.
I feel that this referee work rate is a long way off the standard required at the Elite level.
There was an unusual and rare caution for Everton’s Jibril Sidibe.
He had been off the field of play to receive treatment and then re-entered the field without the permission of the referee and was correctly shown the yellow card.
The Holding offence in the 87th minute on Manchester United’s goalkeeper was correctly penalised.
Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford redeemed himself in the closing stages with two stops in the space of seconds to keep the score at one each.
Everton scored in added time and VAR came in and ruled no goal for offside. The Everton player was sat on the ground directly in front of United’s goalkeeper David De Gea. The shot from Everton was deflected and rolled into the right-hand corner of the goal.
It is at this point that Referee Kavanagh should not have gone towards his assistant to discuss but await the outcome of the VAR review.
The VAR Jonathan Moss correctly ruled the goal out for offside.
LAW 11 – interfering with an opponent by;
Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision and the goalkeeper’s ability to challenge for the ball
It was a very tight decision that will certainly provoke debate
The game ended in controversy when the usually calm Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti entered the field to confront the Referee. He said too much and received a red card for his protests.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Marc Perry, Simon Long
Fourth official: Kevin Friend
VAR: Simon Hooper
Assistant VAR: Mark Scholes
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 14 | 60 | 2 |
Stuart Attwell continued his run of good form, maintaining strict control whilst allowing the game to flow.
THE EFL CARABAO CUP FINAL
Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City
Referee: Lee Mason
Assistant Referees: Ian Hussin, Harry Lennard
Fourth Official: David Coote
VAR: Mike Dean
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies
| NUMBER OF PREMIER LEAGUE APPOINTMENTS | YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
| 13 | 48 | 1 |
It is always a huge honour to officiate a game at Wembley Stadium.
Lee Mason became a Select Group PGMOL Referee in 2006 where he has remained since.
He has enjoyed a long career at the Professional level having been appointed to the Football League list in 1998, first running the line and then promoted to the middle in 2002 after having a period running the line in the Premier League.
Manchester City opened the scoring through Sergio Aguero.
City’s second came sadly after they were wrongly awarded a corner kick. Rodri of City managed to lose his man and put the ball into the net. What a pity that the criteria for VAR cannot intervene.
Aston Villa scored following an error by John Stones who might see his career at Manchester City come to an end at the end of the season.
Villa’s goal was a good header by Villa’s Samatta in the 41st minute but the game finished 2-1.
Despite the incorrect corner-kick awarded to Manchester City, Referee Lee Mason can be very happy for his positive contribution to the game.
Keith Hackett,
Honorary Patron, Far Post Header
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