Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett
PREMIER LEAGUE REFEREE PERFORMANCE REVIEW WEEK 36
NEWCASTLE UNITED V MANCHESTER CITY RESULT 3-4
Referee: Kevin Friend. Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes. Fourth official: Lee Mason. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
The highlight of the game was to see some excellent goals scored by Torres who carried the ball with him at the end of the game having scored a hat-trick.
It was a terrific game to watch with both teams taking an attacking style of play. Manchester City came back from behind twice in this game. The two penalty kicks awarded in the game were both justified and VAR intervened to correctly confirm the penalty kick decision.
SATURDAY 15TH MAY
BURNLEY V LEEDS UNITED RESULT 0-4
Referee: Graham Scott. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
Burnley cemented their Premier League position for next season earlier in the week. Their manager Sean Dyche has a remarkable record considering his exceptionally low budget spent on transfers.
The major talking point of the match was the clash between two players, Ezgjan Aloiski Leeds Utd and Burnley’s Dwight McNeil.
Referee Scott approached the Technical area and spoke to both Managers and both Captains with Fourth official Anthony Taylor close by. Sadly, you could see the Leeds Utd player making an unacceptable gesture.
Credit to Graham Scott who applied an advantage near the halfway line after seeing a foul challenge, allowed play to continue resulting in a goal by Leeds. The Burnley player was rather fortunate not to be on the receiving end of a yellow card for his offence.
Leeds went on to win comfortably 0-4.
SOUTHAMPTON V FULHAM RESULT 3-1
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Ian Hussin, Richard West. Fourth official: Robert Jones. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Neil Davies.
The man in the middle for this game was Craig Pawson and I would suggest that if this had been a normal season, free of Covid then this referee would be officiating the Wembley Cup Final. Hopefully, this will happen next season in front of a full house.
Chez Adams opened the scoring for the home team before Tella made it 2-0, opening his scoring career at the professional level.
Fulham opened their score through Carvalho before Walcott made it 3-1 in a game that passed without incident. Well done, Craig Pawson.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V WEST HAM UNITED RESULT 1-1
Referee: Andre Marriner. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Simon Long. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday.
Early in the game, West Ham players appealed for a penalty kick for handball, but I was satisfied that the defender had not handled the ball deliberately.
This was an even contest throughout with Welbeck opening the scoring in the 84th minute of the game.
West Ham who under David Moyes have had a remarkable turnaround quickly responded with Benrama scoring the equalising goal in the 87th minute. The Hammers are still trying to secure a position in the league that will get them into UEFA competitions.
SUNDAY 16TH MAY
CRYSTAL PALACE V ASTON VILLA RESULT 3-2
Referee: David Coote. Assistants: Nick Hopton, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Robert Jones. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday.
Referee David Coote delivered a good performance and establishing himself in the Select Group One.
John McGinn scored the opening goal, side-footing it into the net to put Villa into the lead. Then former Villa player Benteke equalised. Two minutes later, El Ghazi restored Villa’s lead.
Palace did not give up and equalised in the 76th minute through and then scored a winner in the 84th through Mitchell.
The game passed without controversy.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESULT 2-0
Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis. Fourth official: Peter Bankes. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes.
Harry Kane scored the opening goal just before half time with his team looking to secure a place in Europe.
Hojbjerg scored the second in the 62nd minute giving Spurs a comfortable win.
The good news for England fans is that Kane is back in goal-scoring form and ready to play an important role for England in the upcoming Euros.
WEST BROM V LIVERPOOL RESULT 1-2
Referee: Mike Dean. Assistants: Mark Scholes, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Kevin Friend. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
Referee Mike Dean became the talking point in this game, when he got mixed up in play near the halfway line and invented a free kick to Liverpool. There was no offence and if the ball had struck him (which it did not), then the restart would be a dropped ball. This was the wrong decision and Liverpool scored their opening goal following this mistake.
West Brom had the ball in the net late in the game, only to see it ruled out for offside. I found myself agreeing with the West Brom Manager that the forward had not interfered with play. There was a player in an offside position, but the shot went into the bottom right-hand corner and the goalkeeper should have tried to save it.
Liverpool needing to win sent goalkeeper Allison up and he scored the winning goal with a terrific header.
EVERTON V SHEFFIELD UNITED RESULT 0-1
Referee: Jonathan Moss. Assistants: Marc Perry, Timothy Wood. Fourth official: Lee Mason. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Peter Kirkup.
The home team were frankly lethargic in their approach to the game, leaving experienced manager Ancelotti unhappy.
Despite relegation Sheffield United scored the winning goal through debutant Jebbison in the seventh minute.
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