Officially Speaking – with Keith Hackett

REFEREE PERFORMANCE REVIEW PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 19

Saturday 16 January

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS WEST BROMWICH ALBION Result: 2-3
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett Fourth official: Andy Madley VAR: David Coote Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton
West Brom opened the scoring from the penalty mark in the eighth minute of the game after Referee Oliver had been in a good position to judge that the offence was inside the penalty area. Once again, I remind you that the line forms part of the area and that the knee of the defender in the back of the opponent was the reasoning behind the decision.
Replays highlighted how close this call was and it was not a clear and obvious error so no intervention from VAR Coote.

Later there was some scratching of heads when a West Brom player appeared to attempt to almost double handle the ball in a catching motion when he made contact. This was should have resulted in a penalty kick. The hands and arms were not in a natural position. Referee Oliver’s decision was ‘No penalty kick’ and once again he supported by the VAR. This decision was wrong.
Wolves brought the score level from a free kick into the area that was knocked into goal. The home team then took the lead scoring from a corner kick.
West Brom brought the score to 2-2 from a cross from a corner kick before West Brom wrapped the game up and scored the winning goal in an entertaining encounter.

LEEDS UNITED V BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION Result 0-1
Referee: Kevin Friend Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes Fourth official: Lee Mason VAR: Craig Pawson Assistant VAR: Richard West
A lot of snow the previous day left the pitch looking well below Premier League standard. It cut up easily and frankly did not help the home teams who are known for their quick passing moves.

I do think that the referee needs to improve his consistency in his decision making. Brighton made a strong appeal for a penalty kick, it was rejected by the referee and confirmed by VAR.

The opening and only goal was scored by Brighton in the 17th minute with some slick passing and movement.

WEST HAM UNITED V BURNLEY Result 1-0
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: Ian Hussin, Dan Robathan Fourth official: Tim Robinson VAR: Simon Hooper Assistant VAR: Simon Long
Referee Kavanagh is an established member of the Select Group.

Antonio of West Ham scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute, making good contact with the ball from a cross. The home team then netted a second, but it was correctly ruled out by the Assistant for offside.

There were appeals for a penalty kick by West Ham, but they were ruled out by Referee Kavanagh who was in a good position to see the incident. Kavanagh pointed to the point of the offence, which was outside the area. This was a good decision.

Kavanagh was alert to a late foul challenge on the goalkeeper with the offender correctly being shown a yellow card.

FULHAM V CHELSEA Result 0-1
Referee: Peter Bankes Assistants: Neil Davies, James Mainwaring Fourth official: Mike Dean VAR: Jarred Gillet Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn
Referee Bankes delivered another excellent performance. He was in a great position to see the excessive force challenge that endangered the safety of his opponent committed by Fulham’s Antonee Robinson on Chelsea’s Azipilicueta. Bankes took a few seconds to give himself some thinking time before producing a red card. A very good piece of officiating.

The only observation I would make is for Peter to tighten up on the position of the ball at restarts; some were some yards away from where the offence took place.

PGMOL must use this referee more.

LEICESTER CITY V SOUTHAMPTON Result 2-0
Referee: Stuart Attwell Assistants: Harry Lennard, Eddie Smart Fourth official: Robert Jones VAR: Jonathan Moss Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
Referee Stuart Attwell uses his fitness to good effect covering a lot of ground over the course of the game. He is maturing into a competent official after his disastrous first season.

Leicester’s Maddison opened the scoring with a great run and a powerful shot into the roof of the net from an acute handle.

During this game Attwell played some terrific advantages one late on resulting in a goal. This was an excellent performance by Stuart Attwell and his team.

SUNDAY 17TH JANUARY

ASTON VILLA V EVERTON MATCH POSTPONED
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh VAR: Mike Dean Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday

SHEFFIELD UNITED V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Result 1-3
Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: Richard West, Mark Scholes Fourth official: Robert Jones VAR: Michael Oliver Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday
The very experienced Andre Marriner was in charge of this game adopted a low-key approach, allowing the game to flow and always in control of the proceedings.

Tottenham Hotspur were the winners but take nothing away from United who played some lovely football but did not convert their chances.

LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER UNITED Result 0-0
Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: Lee Betts, Constantine Hatzidakis Fourth official: Craig Pawson VAR: Stuart Attwell Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt
A game well officiated by Referee Tierney; the only controversial incident was at the end of the first half. Liverpool were on the attack and heading towards their opponent’s goal when Tierney blew for halftime. This certainly upset the volatile Liverpool manager. Whilst the Referee is responsible for the time when we coach referees, we say blow when the phase of play is complete.

Well done to the team of officials.

MANCHESTER CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE Result 4-0
Referee: Lee Mason Assistants: Scott Ledger, Tim Wood Fourth official: Andy Madley VAR: Martin Atkinson Assistant VAR: Peter Kirkup
John Stones scored a brace of goals and is in excellent form. Sterling scored a terrific curling free kick. This was an easy game for referee Mason, but his performance however leaves a lot to be desired. Mason needs to improve his movement, reading of the game etc.

MONDAY 18TH JANUARY KO 20.00

ARSENAL VS NEWCASTLE UNITED
Referee: David Coote Assistants: Marc Perry, Nick Hopton Fourth official: Graham Scott VAR: Peter Bankes Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis

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