Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett

SATURDAY 19th DECEMBER

CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL RESULT 0-7
Referee: Jonathan Moss Assistants: Marc Perry, Dan Robathan Fourth official: Stuart Attwell VAR: Simon Hooper Assistant VAR: Dan Cook

This was a rather one-sided game with few challenges to the referee’s control. Jon Moss delivered a low-key performance, and we were left talking about the performance of the players and not the match officials.

SOUTHAMPTON V MANCHESTER CITY RESULT 0-1
Referee: Mike Dean Assistants: Ian Hussin, Darren Cann Fourth official: Robert Jones VAR: Lee Mason Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes

A sound performance from referee Mike Dean. There were some claims for a penalty kick after the ball struck Manchester City’s Sterling. I thought that the officials got this one correct.

EVERTON V ARSENAL RESULT 2-1
Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: Scott Ledger, Simon Long Fourth official: Paul Tierney VAR: Michael Oliver Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring

I was disappointed that no action was taken on a red card challenge by Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos who raked his studs down his opponent’s leg. Surely this was one where the VAR Michael Oliver should have brought to the attention of Andre Marriner?
Marriner was in an excellent position to award a penalty kick to the away team in the 35th minute.

NEWCASTLE UNITED V FULHAM RESULT 1-1
Referee: Graham Scott Assistants: Richard West, Derek Eaton Fourth official: Jarred Gillett VAR: Andy Madley Assistant VAR: Stephen Child

There was a major refereeing blunder in this game when referee Scott penalised a holding offence just outside the Fulham penalty area. However, VAR Andy Madley decided to intervene, Scott visited the monitor and awarded a penalty kick and red carded Anderson.
The original decision by Scott to award a free-kick was correct. I cannot understand why when reviewing the screen, he failed to recognise and punish the Newcastle United forward who was guilty of a clear act of simulation.

SUNDAY 20th DECEMBER

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V SHEFFIELD UNITED RESULT 1-1
Referee: Peter Bankes Assistants: Neil Davies, James Mainwaring Fourth official: Keith Stroud VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Peter Kirkup

When a player launches himself with excessive force towards an opponent off the ground he is out of control and endangers the safety of his opponent, Then the sanction for SERIOUS FOUL PLAY is a RED CARD. I was surprised that referee Bankes did not produce the red card immediately.
However, having consulted the pitchside monitor, Sheffield United’s Lundstram was eventually dismissed.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V LEICESTER CITY RESULT 0-2
Referee: Craig Pawson Assistants: Simon Bennett, Eddie Smart Fourth official: David Coote VAR: Paul Tierney Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard

There is no doubt that Referee Pawson has improved his fitness and his movement around the field of play He was ideally positioned but ignored a clear push by Tottenham’s Serge Aurier on Wesley Fofana.
Fortunately, VAR intervened and Pawson after reviewing the monitor pointed to the penalty mark. Vardy dispatched the ball in his usual manner.

We then had Maddison’s ‘goal’ ruled out for offside. The PGMOL should bin the use of the lines. I am sure that the IFAB will change the law next season. The game is penalising itself with the way the PGMOL are operating the system on offside decisions.

MANCHESTER UNITED V LEEDS UNITED RESULT 6-2
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh VAR: Kevin Friend Assistant VAR: Simon Beck

This was a stunning performance from Manchester United as they scored four goals in 37 minutes. Leeds scoring one before the half time interval.

Referee Taylor was always up with play and took a low-key approach in a game that he allowed to flow.

Leeds United are one of the most entertaining games this season and although they lost, they are a really entertaining side.

I noticed Sir Alex was in the stadium. He was a great manager who I hope is available to give the Manchester United manager his support and guidance.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION V ASTON VILLA RESULT 0-3
Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis Fourth official: Robert Jones VAR: Darren England Assistant VAR: Stephen Child

Sam Allardyce took up his new seat in the home Technical Area, charged with the task of changing West Bromwich Albion’s fortunes. I saw at first hand when I was boss of the PGMOL the depth of technical analysis and Sports Science that he used to support his strategy to win games.

Aston Villa took the lead after 4 minutes.

Referee Martin Atkinson correctly dismissed WBA captain Jake Livermore after viewing the pitchside monitor. I have to say that it was such a clear offence and I could not understand why he did not produce the red card immediately after he saw it, instead of his initial yellow

I thought that number 30 Kortney Hause of Aston Villa should also have received a red card for his deliberate stamp on WBA Grady Diangana.

Later on in the match, another goal ruled out for offside.

About Author