Mohamed Salah’s booking for simulation was right, says Dermot Gallagher https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/dermot-gallagher/, as he runs the rule over the weekend’s refereeing decisions in the penultimate Ref Watch of the season.
There were a number of disputed decisions in the Premier League and La Liga over the weekend and Gallagher gave his views on whether they should have stood or not.
So whether it is spot-kicks not given or suspect bookings, the former top-flight official gives us his verdict…
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
INCIDENT: Mohamed Salah is making his way across the top of the box and after the slightest of nicks from Gary Cahill, goes to ground. He is booked by referee Anthony Taylor for simulation.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Correct decision.
Mohamed Salah booked for diving
DERMOT SAYS: It is the right decision and it’s come because Anthony has worked very hard to get in the right position. What you would also say is that Anthony is also blocked off by a defender so he’s had to really concentrate and get it right.
Every decision is brave if you wanted to look at it like that but it is the correct decision and that’s what people want, especially in that incident.
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
INCIDENT: Brighton’s Pascal Gross headed towards goal, with Marcos Rojo clearing the ball from inside the goal mouth. The goal was awarded after a consultation with goal-line technology, which showed it 2.8 centimetres over the line.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: The goal would have been disallowed without technology.
Brighton scored their winner by 2.8cm
DERMOT SAYS: It definitely wouldn’t have been a goal without it. It was interesting that it was so tight that even the watch took its time to make its mind up. When you look at it, it’s just incredible for a number of reasons.
The assistant, Stuart Burt, would never, ever have been able to make a decision on this no matter how good you say he is because the ball is in the air. That’s key because if the ball strikes the ground, you’ve got a clear reference point but if the ball is in the air, you haven’t got one. The watch took its time, but got it right.
Everton 1-1 Southampton
INCIDENT: Everton are awarded a free kick deep in their own half after Nathan Redmond fouled Seamus Coleman. It was taken quickly as Everton made their way down the field before Tom Davies eventually scored the equalising goal.
Southampton manager Mark Hughes complained after the game that the free kick was taken too quickly and in the wrong place, not allowing the Saints to prepare themselves properly.
A late Everton equaliser saw Southampton drop two points on Saturday
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Decision down to the linesman.
DERMOT SAYS: The closest person to it is the linesman and probably thinks it is a foul. He didn’t flag but he could well have communicated over the microphone system. What I would say in the referee’s defence, there was a lot of football played from the taking of that free-kick and the ball entering the net. I think a lot of the anger was from two points gone.
Leicester 0-2 West Ham
INCIDENT: Aaron Cresswell gets ahead of Jamie Vardy as the striker chases a forward pass, with a slight touch seeing the West Ham defender go to ground, and wrapping his arm around the ball. The referee Chris Kavanagh awards a free kick to Leicester and shows Cresswell a yellow card for handball.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Correct, but should have been a red card.
Was Aaron Cresswell lucky to escape a red?
DERMOT SAYS: I think there are four decisions here. Firstly, is it a foul by Vardy – he says no. Secondly, is it inside or outside the box – it’s outside. Thirdly, is it handball, which he gives and fourthly, what colour card is coming. I think he has got the first three absolutely spot on, but really it should be a red card.
When you go through the process, once you get to step three where you decide it’s handball, you’ve then got to think about if it’s a red or yellow card and I think if he had sent him off, he would have been well within his rights because Vardy would have been through. A tough call with four decisions to make.
Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid
INCIDENT: Sergi Roberto is given a straight red card after striking Marcelo in the face off the ball.
Highlights of Real Madrid’s trip to Barcelona in El Clasico
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Correct decision.
DERMOT SAYS: It’s very good refereeing because if you see where the ball is and what happens, he keeps his eye on it so he may have seen something earlier in the game that had gone on between the two players. I think the referee really has done a great job there.
Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid
INCIDENT: Marcelo looks to make his way through the area, and is clipped by Jordi Alba before going to ground. However, the referee does not award a penalty.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Incorrect but understands the referee’s decision.
DERMOT SAYS: I think it is a penalty but I can understand why the referee didn’t give it when you see how Marcelo goes down. How he reacts sells it to the referee that it isn’t a penalty. Sometimes I would say to a player not to try and convince the referee that it’s a penalty because often, you don’t get them.
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Sourse: skysports.com
