Debatable Decisions EPL – Week 1

A new season is upon us and with it comes a brand new appetite for giving off stink about referees and focussing on their shortcomings. Huzzah! We welcome a new judge to the fold, Callum Maclean, a Chelsea fan (let’s get that out of the way now), but we’re without one of our resident judges for the foreseeable future, Simon Furnivall out of action as a result of a broken arm. Get well soon, Simon.

With the team down to four we should point out that any split decisions will result in the officials being given the benefit of the doubt and marked as correct. Enjoy.

West Brom – Liverpool

Long Penalty #1 and Agger Red Card

Simon M – I asked people on Twitter what they thought about this one and the consensus was that it was a bit soft, but there was a push and Agger was last man. I agree with them. Very soft, but the referee had no choice.

Ant – I’ve watched this several times and I think it’s hard to tell if Agger makes contact just inside the area or in it, but he does bring him down and it’s a penalty for me meaning he needs to be red carded for preventing a clear chance to score.

Mike – A lot happens in a split second here. Firstly, let me just say that Long could have stayed on his feet. If he does, he’s one-on-one. He’s had some heavy criticism for going down so easily but, at the same time, if I felt that contact, would I not go down? I don’t know. Agger doesn’t make the heaviest contact, but there is enough and it is a slight shove. The decision to send Agger off is CORRECT but it really does look like the offence is just outside the area, so the penalty is INCORRECT. It should have been a free-kick.

Callum – Would have been a free-kick anywhere else on the pitch so should be given. Last man so deservedly sent off.

Overall Decision: Correct Decisions

Long Penalty #2

Simon M – Unlucky for Skrtel, doesn’t even know Long is there, but it’s a dangerous area to dally with the ball and he was punished for his mistake.

Ant – A clear penalty as Skrtel kicks Long legs and he goes down, that strange thing is is Skrtel wasn’t concentrating so much on where he was going to pass the ball and just tried to clear it he wouldn’t have give away the penalty.

Mike – I can’t accept this one. Yes, there is contact. That old adage. But it seems clear to me that Long initiates that contact and then goes down.

Callum – Clumsy from Skrtel, he was passing the ball, but he hasn’t got near it and there’s enough contact there. From behind as well if you want to be really pedantic.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Newcastle – Spurs

Ben Arfa Penalty

Simon M – I think I actually heard a commentator mention this in the same breath as the Agger/Long penalty, as if both were debatable. I don’t think either are, but there’s no doubt in my mind which is better example of a stonewall penalty being awarded in the Premier League.

Ant – A good run by Ben Arfa and once he heads in-between the two defenders it’s obvious they are going to foul him, a clear penalty.

Mike – You can’t really argue with this one. It’s an obvious trip.

Callum – No question about it – Been sandwiched and dragged down at the same time, without touching the ball. Easily a penalty.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Fulham – Norwich

Petric Goal Over The Line?

Simon M – It’s over the line. We include these in case some dafty grumps about it, but it isn’t even debatable.

Ant – The ball was clearly over the line and it’s good to see that it is spotted, last season there were quite a few of these missed by the officials.

Mike – The MOTD commentator seems adamant that it’s over the line but neither of the angles make it all that clear. The boot attempting to clear is well over, but does that mean the whole of the ball is? I’m not sure. Based on what I’ve seen, my suspicion is that it’s just about over.

Callum – Yep. Good decision from the officials.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Rodallega Penalty

Simon M – Really shocking challenge from the defender, surely you’d rather let the striker go up against your keeper in the heat of action than slide in and give them a soft penalty?

Ant – I thought the Ben Arfa penalty was the most obvious of the day but this is as clear a decision as there can possibly be. Reckless challenge by Turner and a penalty all day long.

Mike – There’s no discussion to be had on this one. Such a clear penalty.

Callum – Again, good decision from the officials.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

West Ham – Aston Villa

West Ham Goal Potentially Offside

Simon M – Another decision that isn’t really up for debate, but was hammed up by the commentator. The Villa defender clearly flicks it on and it’s a great spot from the officials.

Ant – I’m not sure how the officials arrived at this decision but it was the right one and very well spotted. The ball is headed by the Aston Villa defender and not James Collins so as everyone knows that cannot be offside.

Mike – It does appear to come off the head of Ciaran Clark which means it’s not offside. Perfectly good goal.

Callum – Clear touch from Clark, and I don’t think it’s been touched by anyone else on the way through. Good decision.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Reading – Stoke

Reading Penalty and Whitehead Second Yellow

Simon M – Fair play to Mowbray, he finally had the wit to admit a mistake on his player’s part rather than the referee’s. Not sure what Whitehead is up to, the Reading fella has a lot of work to do and there are plenty of defenders in the box, why go to ground?

Ant – Another clear penalty from a stupid challenge, the second yellow was deservedly given and all round the correct decisions were made.

Mike – It’s definitely a foul and a penalty. Is a yellow card a bit harsh? I’m not sure if the referee books him if it’s his first offence. But, with McCleary dashing through like that, you could argue there’s just about enough in it.

Callum – Hasn’t won the ball, so a penalty is right. Second yellow correct as well. Clumsy tackle.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Man City – Southampton

Man City Penalty Awarded

Simon M – First up, this is a penalty, no doubt about it. Secondly, the Match of the Day commentator says “Very, very smart from Tevez” because he left his leg in, waiting for the tackle. I seem to remember a slightly different reaction when Johnson did it last season.

Ant – Tevez is very clever here and he knows exactly what he is doing when he turns but it was a well won penalty.

Mike – Tevez does his bit to win it because you can tell he can stay on his feet if he wants to. But in all honesty, if you’re fouled in that position with your back to goal, why stay on your feet? It’s clumsy defending and a penalty.

Callum – Yep, although he’s tried to win the ball, he’s nowhere near it, and Tevez is caught. Penalty.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Tevez Goal Potentially Offside

Simon M – It’s marginal, so you can understand the officials getting this one wrong, but they definitely did get it wrong.

Ant – I had to watch this a few times I think Tevez was a fraction offside but it would have been incredibly hard for the assistant to spot it.

Mike – They don’t come much closer than this. Even with the help of the video, it’s hard to say for certain. I think Clyne is just about playing Tevez on.

Callum – Think he’s offside there, just. Should have been flagged.

Overall Decision: Incorrect Decision

Wigan – Chelsea

Chelsea Penalty Awarded

Simon M – Woeful defending. Easy decision for the referee and gift of a goal for Chelsea.

Ant – Bit stupid to stick your leg out like that and it just gave Hazard the chance to win the penalty, correct decision.

Mike – What on Earth is Ramis doing? Hazard wasn’t even going anywhere. Easily a penalty.

Callum – Penalty, not even tried to win the ball there.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Cech Potential Handball Outside Area

Simon M – From the replay it does look like it’s outside the box, but only slightly. I would have awarded a free kick and a yellow. Think a red would have been harsh.

Ant – I think the replays show that the ball was just outside the area when Cech grabbed it.

Mike – It does indeed go outside the penalty area.

Callum – Looked outside at the match, can’t really tell there.

Overall Decision: Incorrect Decision (Not counted as yellow awarded)

Everton – Man Utd

Welbeck Penalty Shout

Simon M – I watched this at the time and in real time it looked like a penalty, or a free kick at the very least. However, the replays show Welbeck under pressure and going down a little too easily. I don’t think his shirt was pulled and I don’t think a penalty would have been justified.

Ant – Nothing in this for me if anything the minimal contact is made on the very edge of the are but I wouldn’t have even given a free kick.

Mike – I just can’t see enough in this to say you can give a penalty for it. Seems strange that Welbeck would go down without contact in that situation and it certainly looks like a genuine fall, but at the same time, I can’t make out any real contact.

Callum – Think he’s been touched outside the box, so if anything, it’s a free-kick.

Overall Decision: Correct Decision

Chelsea – Reading

Chelsea Penalty Awarded

Simon M – Surely this sort of defending can’t continue all season?! We’re no sitting at 8 penalties in 11 league games and not a single one of them was all that debatable. Really stupid tackle and very poor defending.

Ant – I think Hazard goes down easily to make sure he gets the penalty but the Reading defender does clip him and it is a penalty.

Mike – Two games, two penalties won by Hazard, who looks a very exciting player. This one, like the one against Wigan, is a clear penalty.

Callum – Clumsy tackle, correct decision for the penalty.

Overall Verdict – Correct Decision

Torres Goal Possibly Offside

Simon M – The officials should have seen the Tevez offside, but it was marginal so there is an element of understanding from supporters. However, this is blatant. A pathetic piece of officiating from the linesman and no idea how he missed it.

Ant – Slightly offside but a decision I think the linesman should have got right.

Mike – It’s not borderline at all. In offside parlance, he’s miles off.

Callum – Torres is a fair way offside there. Poor from the officials not to spot that, considering everyone else saw it.

Overall Verdict – Incorrect Decision

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You can follow all five judges on Twitter; Simon M – @Deb_Decisions, Callum – @callummaclean91, Ant – @Acidburn81, Mike – @mkobylko and Simon F – @SFurnivall.

Tags: Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Newcastle, Norwich, Reading, Southampton, Spurs, Stoke, WBA, West Ham, Wigan