Officially Speaking - with Keith Hackett

MATCH WEEK ONE PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE APPOINTMENTS

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2020

FULHAM V ARSENAL RESULT 0-3
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Daniel Cook, Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Kevin Friend
VAR: David Coote
Assistant VAR: Stephen Child

Referee Kavanagh got his season off to an excellent start, keeping a low profile and making several accurate decisions.
He applied a great advantage after a foul on an Arsenal player that eventually resulted in a goal scored by Arsenal’s Lacazette.

CRYSTAL PALACE V SOUTHAMPTON RESULT 1-0
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: Marc Perry, Dan Robathan
Fourth official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton

The main talking-point in this game was when Referee Moss issued a red card to Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters. It looked harsh and I was delighted that VAR Craig Pawson intervened on what he believed to be a serious and obvious error.
This season the IFAB stated clearly that on subjective decisions the referee should make use of the Referee Review Area (RRA).
Moss returned after viewing the monitor returned to the player, correctly rescinded the red card and issued the yellow.

This is what we have been stating almost on a weekly basis that referees should use the monitor. By doing so, the correct decision was reached. Well done Pawson for his intervention and Moss for changing his decision.

WEST HAM UNITED V NEWCASTLE UNITED RESULT 0 – 2
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Neil Davies
Fourth official: Darren England
VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Simon Long

It is good to be able to write that Referee Attwell produced a very good performance and getting the big decisions in the game correct.
The main talking-point in this game was the excellent debut of Newcastle’s Callum Wilson a £20 million summer signing from Bournemouth.

LIVERPOOL V LEEDS UNITED RESULT 4-3
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett
Fourth official: Mike Dean
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday

Michael Oliver started the season in fine form, the one major talking-point was the award of the first penalty kick to Liverpool. Referee Oliver judged that the defender had deliberately handled the ball. He was in a good position to view the decision.

On first viewing I agreed with his decision but after carefully studying replays, it was evident that the shot on goal hit the knee of the defender and hit the arm of the Leeds United defender who was attempting to retract his arm. It was a subjective decision and worthy of debate

There were several goals in this game that were correctly chalked off with Referee Oliver demonstrating why he is our top referee.

SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

WEST BROMWICH ALBION V LEICESTER CITY RESULT 0-3
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth official: Peter Bankes
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday

This was a good start to the season for Leicester City in a game that was clear of any refereeing controversies.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V EVERTON RESULT 0-1
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: Lee Betts, Peter Kirkup
Fourth official: Graham Scott
VAR: Andre Marriner
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger

Referee Atkinson was sloppy on the positioning of a free kick that lead to Everton’s goal. The markings on the field that are made by way the groundsman cuts the grass can be very helpful.
When the Everton player positioned about six yards from where the offence had taken place, it improved the opportunity for the Everton player whose accurate cross lead to a headed goal.

MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V CHELSEA
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistants: Ian Hussin, Richard West
Fourth official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Kevin Friend
Assistant VAR: Simon Beck

SHEFFIELD UNITED V WOLVES
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: Darren Cann, Mark Scholes
Fourth official: Lee Mason
VAR: Graham Scott
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton

Keith Hackett
www.keystoreferee.com