Honorary Patron Keith Hackett returns to give his verdict on this weekend’s Premier League action:
Manchester United vs Burnley
Referee: Sam Barrott
Barrott awarded a penalty kick to Manchester Utd. Following a review, the penalty kick was overturned.
United then had another appeal for a penalty turned down by the referee – VAR supported the referee’s decision. This was the correct decision.
Goal-line Technology then confirmed a goal to United before the visitors equalised. After the home side scored to make the score 2-1, Burnley scored but the Assistant flagged for offside. SAS confirmed offside.
In added time at the end of the game, a Burnley defender held a United player’s shirt. The correct decision was made to award a penalty kick.
Final Score: 3-2
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton
Referee: Michael Oliver
New-boy Jack Grealish was involved in Everton’s second and third goals. Between the two, Everton had a goal correctly ruled out for offside.
Gomez scored for Wolves shortly after the home side had an appeal for a penalty kick turned down.
Final score: 2-3
Chelsea vs Fulham
Referee: Rob Jones
Fulham opened the scoring, but amazingly VAR intervened on a contact that was NOT a foul. Neither was it a Clear and Obvious Error by the referee. VAR should not have intervened at this point.
When referee Jones went to the monitor, I expected him to allow the goal to stand and over-rule the VAR. He did not, and a goal was incorrectly ruled out. This was a huge error by referee Jones and VAR Salisbury. I would remind them that football is a contact sport.
Chelsea then scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to open the scoring 1-0. The Fulham manager was incensed and certainly was in confrontation with the Fourth Official.
In the second half, the Referee penalised a handball by a defender after another intervention and review of VAR, Chelsea scored to make it 2-0.
It was another handball decision that confuses spectators. The Fulham player who jumped certainly made his body shape bigger. The handball decision was correct.
Final score: 2-0
Sunderland vs Brentford
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Sunderland apparently moved the perimeter advertising boards closer to the touchline before the match to reduce the opportunity of the opposition having a long run-up for a throw-in. This will no doubt be looked at by the Premier League to ensure that no regulations were broken.
Sunderland appealed for a handball in the early stages of the game and referee Taylor was unmoved.
He was instantly surrounded by protesting players. I wonder where the ‘Captains Only’ protocol was and this outburst should be reported to the authorities.
Brentford scored but this was correctly ruled out for offside.
Then there was a clear holding offence in the penalty area by a Sunderland player, but Referee Taylor awarded a free kick to Sunderland. He frankly should have awarded a penalty kick to Brentford.
In the second half, Referee Taylor then awarded a penalty kick for a holding offence by the Sunderland defender who was also yellow carded.
The resulting penalty kick was poor, making it easy for the Sunderland goalkeeper to save.
After Brentford’s opener, there was a holding offence at a corner kick by a Brentford player, who was penalised by Ref Taylor. A penalty kick was awarded.
Well done to Referee Taylor for penalising holding offences inside the penalty area.
Final score: 2-1
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth
Referee: Simon Hooper
A win for Bournemouth and a real disappointment for Spurs fans who have raised expectations of their team this season.
Final score: 0-1
Leeds United v Newcastle United
Referee: Peter Bankes
After a Leeds player went to ground looking for a penalty, Referee Bankes correctly waved aside the appeals from Newcastle, with VAR in agreement.
This was a game with plenty of huff and puff, but no goals.
Final score: 0-0
Nottingham Forest v West Ham United
Referee: Craig Pawson
The game looked as though it was heading for a scoreless draw, then up popped West Ham’s Bowen who opened the scoring with a left-footed shot.
This goal was followed up with a nailed-on penalty kick where Referee Pawson was in a very good position to make the award.
Final score: 0-3
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester City
Referee: Darren England
Manchester City opened the scoring through their talisman, number 9 Erling Haaland.
Brighton drew level with a converted penalty kick before winning the game 2-1.
Final score: 2-1
Liverpool v Arsenal
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
The PGMOL announced in the lead-up to the game that following a poor performance the previous day, VAR Michael Salisbury had been withdrawn and replaced by John Brooks.
We witnessed a tight encounter with no big issues in the opening 25 minutes, but I would have liked to have seen the referee squeeze play more by doing some short dynamic sprints.
The first yellow card was given to Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who clipped the heels of his opponent whilst making a run towards goal. This was a correct decision.
In the second half, I thought frankly, this is a poor game that is falling well below expectations. Can you bring on Dalglish, Rush, Ian Wright, Denis Bergkamp or even Thierry Henry?!?
Sadly, there was a lot of huff and puff but not much to entertain us until Dominik Szoboszlai scored with a tremendous free kick.
Later, Arsenal were looking for penalty kick which was correctly not awarded.
Final score: 1-0
Keith Hackett
Former FIFA Referee and Premier League Referee
Former PGMOL Boss
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