Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett

As ever, Keith casts his eye over the weekend’s action to deliver his expert opinion for Far Post Header.

WEEK 37 PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

SATURDAY 18TH JULY

NORWICH CITY V BURNLEY RESULT 0-2
Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Simon Beck, Andy Garratt
Fourth official: Dean Whitestone
Replacement official: George Byrne
VAR: Lee Mason
Assistant VAR: Stephen Child

The main talking-point in this game was the two red cards correctly issued by Referee Kevin Friend. The relegated players of Norwich City lacked discipline.
Emiliano Buendia was guilty of using his elbow thrusting it downwards into the head of his opponent. The referee had a clear view and did not hesitate to show the Norwich City player a red card.

Less than nine minutes later, another act resulted in a second red card for a Norwich City player. Josip Drmic’s excessive force challenge with studs showing was reviewed by the VAR. After a delay, the decision was left to the referee Friend who on a quick view of the monitor came back and the card was shown.

Two players who have brought their season to an end.

SUNDAY 19TH JULY

BOURNEMOUTH V SOUTHAMPTON  RESULT 0-2
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Dan Robathan, Peter Kirkup
Fourth official: Tim Robinson
Replacement official: Mark Russell
VAR: David Coote
Assistant VAR: Lee Betts

Bournemouth kicked off this game fighting for survival in the Premier League and needing to win this game. In the 13^th minute, King of  Bournemouth ran into the penalty area, lost his footing – or was he pushed in the back by Jack Stephens?Everyone from Bournemouth appealed for a penalty, but Referee Pawson is unmoved. VAR confirmed Pawson was correct. No Penalty Kick awarded.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V LEICESTER CITY RESULT 3-0
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth official: Graham Scott
Replacement official: Steven Meredith
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger

The game opened with an own goal after a shot from Tottenham’s Son Heung-Mins shot was deflected off a rather unlucky James Justin.

In the 57^th minute Tottenham’s Lucas Moura received a yellow card.

In the 73^rd minute Leicester City’s Jonny Evans was yellow-carded for a foul.

In the 86th minute Tottenham’s Davison Sanchez put in a cruel challenge down the back of his opponent’s Achilles tendon.

It was a game dominated by the home team with Leicester suffering from injuries.

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL

SATURDAY 18TH JULY

MANCHESTER CITY V ARSENAL RESULT 0-2
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistant Referee: Simon Bennett
Assistant Referee: Marc Perry
Fourth Official: Paul Tierney
Reserve Assistant Referee: Nick Hopton
Video Assistant Referee: Craig Pawson
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Gary Beswick

I had the pleasure of officiating several FA Challenge Cup semi-final games which were always challenging played in front of a passionate full house.
This game due to COVID 19 sadly took place in an empty Wembley Stadium with Referee Jon Moss in charge.

Moss was called upon to judge an appeal for a penalty kick, when Arsenal’s Mustafi challenged Sterling of Manchester City. Wow, this was a very tight call for Moss who from a good viewing position waved aside appeals. It was a subjective call and VAR Craig Pawson did not intervene. Clearly he did not see the decision by Moss to be a clear and obvious error.

Looking very closely at the Mustafi challenge, there was contact with Sterling’s ankle and on another day a penalty kick could have been awarded for this careless challenge,

SUNDAY 19TH JULY

MANCHESTER UNITED v CHELSEA  RESULT  1-3
Referee: Michael Dean
Assistant Referee: Ian Hussin
Assistant Referee: Richard West
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley
Reserve Assistant Referee: Stuart Burt
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Oliver
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis

The experienced, bearded Mike Dean was in charge of this tie. He will have been very happy with how the first thirty minutes passed. He managed to positively manage the game, detecting the fouls and managing the players through positive communication. Referees around the country will have noted how Chelsea at a set-piece free-kick edged towards the ball ignoring the white line sprayed by the referee to indicate 9.15 meters. Mike Dean walked calmly towards the ball and ushered the wall back.

The first goal scored by Olivier Giroud by a deft flick should really have been saved by David de Gea. Chelsea went one up.

The half time whistle was delayed due to what appeared to be a serious head injury

The second half then saw a second goal by Chelsea after a speculative shot on goal by Mason Mount travelled 25 yards and through the hands of de Gea. This was the goalkeeping error of the season.

Chelsea was much the better side and was closing Man Utd brilliantly. Chelsea then scored a third an own goal off Manchester United’s Harry Maguire to make it 3-0.

A silly challenge by a Chelsea player resulted in the correct award of a penalty kick to Manchester United who scored to make it 3-1. Mike Dean has certainly impressed in this match delivering a low key but accurate performance. It was a good performance throughout by him and his colleagues.

KEITH HACKETT

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