Honorary Patron Keith Hackett gives his insight into the weekend’s Premier League action:
Brentford vs Chelsea (Final Score 2-2)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Video Assistant Referee: James Bell
The main talking point in this game was Brentford’s use of the long throw-ins that caused some chaos in the penalty area.
It was a good game. Well done to the officials for delivering good performances.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (Final Score 3-0)
Referee: Darren England
Video Assistant Referee: Andy Madley
This was the first game for new Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou.
Arsenal were 1-0 up in the first half before adding a second and third goal.
West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur (Final Score 0-3)
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Tottenham thought that they had opened the scoring, but Referee Gillett ruled it out. Frankly, at that same corner kick there was a holding offence on a Spurs player. I could see nothing wrong with this other than the usual.
The away side opened the second half with a goal before West Ham’s Tomas Souček was then correctly issued with a red card for a serious foul play challenge. This was the correct decision.
Tottenham went on to win the game 3-0.
Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (Final Score 1-0)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Video Assistant Referee: Timothy Wood
It is good to see former top Cop Timothy Wood has been used in the VAR role. New faces are required to improve VAR performances.
Wolves started the game with several attacking moves.
Where were the five colours that we expect to see in the game? The referee and the Wolves’ goalkeeper were in matching colours!
It should be:
2 goalkeepers should be different
2 Teams Should be different
1 Referee
Newcastle had a big shout for a penalty kick. If action had been taken by the referee, then it would have been a free kick outside the area. There was an offence but it went unpunished.
The challenge on Newcastle’s Barnes denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and should have received a red card.
Bournemouth vs Brighton and Hove Albion (Final Score 2-1)
Referee: Peter Bankes
Video Assistant Referee: Paul Howard
Howard Webb is clearly ringing the changes in the VAR room in an attempt to improve standards.
Bournemouth opened the scoring through Scott. Brighton then equalised with a terrific header into the net.
Bournemouth won thanks to a penalty kick that was correctly awarded to Bournemouth.
Fulham vs Leeds United (Final Score 1-0)
Referee: Craig Pawson
Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney
A goalless poor first half, but then Fulham’s new player Kevin was brought on and almost immediately created a goal-scoring opportunity.
Fulham won the game by a Leeds United own goal.
Everton vs Aston Villa (Final Score 0-0)
Referee: Simon Hooper
Video Assistant Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Opposing goalkeepers have been on top of late as Aston Villa have not hit the net after four games.
This may be because Villa have sold several of their former scorers.
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland (Final Score 0-0)
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Video Assistant Referee: Tim Robinson
A good advantage was applied by Referee Bramall, but the Palace player who was played through one-on-one shot wide.
Crystal Palace had a really good shout for a penalty kick with a high foot catching the striker late after his shot on goal. I was surprised that VAR did not intervene.
Burnley vs Liverpool (Final Score 0-1)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney
Burnley’s Ugochukwu was issued with a yellow card after he was judged by Referee Anthony Taylor to have committed a reckless challenge.
On review, I was surprised that VAR frankly had failed to recognise that this was a Serious Foul Play offence. The challenge used excessive force and endangered the safety of an opponent. This should have been a RED card offence.
He was later sent off for a second yellow card challenge in the 84th minute.
A handball offence was correctly penalised in the closing stages of the game with a penalty kick to Liverpool. Mo Salah scoring from the penalty mark.
There was encroachment by a Liverpool player and in this situation, the Referee has to make a judgment decision.
Did the player encroach and impact on the goalkeeper?
A) If no impact on the goalkeeper – It’s a Goal
B) If encroachment impacts on the goalkeeper – Penalty kick is retaken
Manchester City vs Manchester United (Final Score 3-0)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
There was a minute’s silence in honour of boxing legend Ricky Hatton whose passing was announced earlier in the day.
Foden opened up the scoring for Manchester City before a brace of goals for Haaland (his goals coming in the 53rd and 68th minutes).
A game well officiated by Anthony Taylor.
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