RateTheRef
General Refereeing => Legacy Appointment Boards => Select Group - Premier League => Topic started by: Ben on Mon 29 Dec 2025 16:06
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Disappointed to read comments from Everton referencing Tom Kirk’s inexperience at Premier League level. This is nothing more than a deflection tactic following a poor performance and result against a struggling opponent. Michael Keane is a good enough player not to have to resort to pulling an opponents hair and Jack Grealish demonstrated pure petulance and stupidity to receive two yellow cards so let’s applaud a young talent for having the courage and conviction to carry out his duties diligently and courageously.
In fairness, Moyes did say he had no defence for Grealish's actions although he wasn't happy with the Keane red card.
On the subject of Tom Kirk, his first Premier League game was Burnley v Crystal Palace at the start of December. Although hardly a difficult game to referee, I thought he did really well and ensured it wasn't difficult.
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Disappointed to read comments from Everton referencing Tom Kirk’s inexperience at Premier League level. This is nothing more than a deflection tactic following a poor performance and result against a struggling opponent. Michael Keane is a good enough player not to have to resort to pulling an opponents hair and Jack Grealish demonstrated pure petulance and stupidity to receive two yellow cards so let’s applaud a young talent for having the courage and conviction to carry out his duties diligently and courageously.
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Andy Madley and his team letting us down in the 19:30 KOs. The only team ref in yellow.
I wonder if there was a personal request of blue by someone down on the south coast.
Two helpings of purple too with Bramall and Kirk.
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He has been AVAR on a few occasions in the Premier league and also last season in the FA Cup
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Saturday 3rd January 2026
Aston Villa FC (First Team) v Nottingham Forest F.C. (First Team) Live on TNT Sports
Premier League
Referee: Hooper, Simon
Assistant Referee: Holmes, Adrian
Assistant Referee: Long, Simon
Fourth Official: Bramall, Thomas
Video Assistant Referee: Howard, Paul
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Barrott, Sam
Is today a first venture into Stockley Park for Sam Barrott? I don’t seem to recall him being a VAR at all.
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Another trip to Leeds for Jones, he will soon be there as regular as Kitchen at Burnley.
Kav with a trip to his favourite part of the country to visit tge naughty step?
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In principal I agree. Which is why it was good to see England on Arsenal v Villa (I think classed as a big game currently)
Good to see Harrington on Sunderland v Leeds (a ‘tough’ game)
Good to see Donohue and Kirk getting more PL games.
I feel the appointments are in a catch 22 at times. Appoint a ‘lesser referee’ to a ‘big’ game and pre-game it’s great appointing. If it doesn’t go well then post game they should have appointed a more experienced referee.
It’s a game much easier with hindsight.
I think we agree though, it’s just not possible all the time I think.
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To answer Ben from above for me Taylor should be on the tough ones like
Sunderland v Leeds
Chelsea’s v Leeds
Everton v Aston Villa
Etc … doesn’t always need him on Arsenal v Liverpool, likewise Everton v Brentford is a opportunity to breed in someone new / upcoming
Otherwise all we getting is a set of really boring appointments happening week after week which lack any type of imagination
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That is an extremely quick return to Bournemouth for Kav. It's also 2 days after he has Liverpool v Leeds - he could surely have been given a Sunday game.
1-1 draw incoming - well the last 4 games he has done have ended up as such! Not quick enough for me - we'd happily have him every game!
Looks like he’ll be in yellow again!
He might even be lucky enough to get it ironed for him 😂
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Assistant Referee Stats for over the Christmas Period. Stats include Number of AR apps in PL, AVAR apps, VAR apps and FL assistant apps
BESWICK- 4 AR and 2 AVAR
PERRY- 4 AR and 1 AVAR
ANTROBUS- 4 AR 0 AVAR
WILKES- 4 AR 0 AVAR
HATZIDAKIS- 4 AR , 0 AVAR and 1 VAR
HOLMES- 4 AR and 1 AVAR
LONG- 4 AR 0 AVAR
DAVIES- 4 AR 0 AVAR 2 VAR
LEDGER- 4 AR and 0 AVAR
BENNETT- 3 AR and 1 AVAR
BURT- 3 AR and 1 AVAR
SMART- 3 AR, 1 AVAR and 1 FL AR
BETTS- 4 AR 0 AVAR
NUNN- 3 AR 0 AVAR
GREENHALGH- 3 AR and 1 AVAR
COOK- 4 AR 0 AVAR
HUSSIN- 3 AR, 1 AVAR and 1 FL AR
MEREDITH- 3 AR, 0 AVAR and 1 FL AR
HOWSON- 3 AR, 0 AVAR and 1 FL AR
SMITH- 3 AR and 2 AVAR
SCHOLES- 2 AR, 2 AVAR and 1 FL AR
WOOD- 2 AR, 2 AVAR, 2 VAR and 1 FL AR
MAINWARING- 2 AR and 1 AVAR
HOPTON- 0 AR, 1 AVAR and 1 VAR
MASSEY-ELLIS- 1 AR, 4 AVAR and 1 FL AR
JAMES- 1 PL AR
NELSON- 1 PL AR
WEST- 0 AR, 1 AVAR and 1 FL AR
C TAYLOR- 0 AR and 3 AVAR
ROBATHAN- 0 AR and 4 AVAR
ASPINALL- 0 AR and 2 AVAR
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Tbf a really boring set of appointments again…
Does Everton v Brentford - need Taylor ??
Arsenal / Liverpool Taylor
Man C / Chelsea Oliver
Surely they could have been more forward thinking and gone Brooks / Gillett for example???
I'm struggling to work out what games you think Taylor should get?
He shouldn't be on 'lesser' games like Everton v Brentford, but you also think he has had enough of the 'top' games??
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So the Four matchweeks over the Christmas and New Year Period see the matches shared out as follows:
3 Games
- Kavanagh
- Bankes
- Taylor
- Gillett
- Attwell
- Harrington
2 games
- Hooper
- Pawson
- Oliver
- Brooks
- England
- Madley
- Brammall
- Salisbury
- Jones
1 game
- Barrott
- Kirk
- Donohue
- Robinson
0 games
- Tierney (has Champ games though)
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Tbf a really boring set of appointments again…
Does Everton v Brentford - need Taylor ??
Arsenal / Liverpool Taylor
Man C / Chelsea Oliver
Surely they could have been more forward thinking and gone Brooks / Gillett for example???
Also this set of fixtures was a chance to breed in J Smith and L Smith I think, two guys who are having good season in SG2. And now it’s one list, surely chance to get some good performance guys from SG2 with a chance @ PL level.
Matt Don - good to see him with another game !
Too early yet for Hallam - Ricardo in my opinion they still need more SG2 games first before even being considered.
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I’m surprised we haven’t been given a trial official at Fulham yet this season… usually we were the go to place for new officials.
Perhaps the Lewis Smith trial last season which doesn’t go very well for him v Villa torpedoed that for a while.
I may be alone in this but I am confused how Josh Smith hasn’t got a game in the PL. He had a few before his injury and seems to have been overtaken by Kirk, Donohue and Kitchen.
I think you're absolutely right, he has and I think Ricardo is snapping at his heels as well
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I’m surprised we haven’t been given a trial official at Fulham yet this season… usually we were the go to place for new officials.
Perhaps the Lewis Smith trial last season which doesn’t go very well for him v Villa torpedoed that for a while.
That’s not entirely true about Lewis Smith. That performance probably did hamper his development a bit but he was around in the premier league a fair bit last season.
Ipswich had him 3 times - and probably put in one of the best performances I saw live last season in Ipswich v Fulham - and I think he had a couple of others too.
But yes I am surprised we’ve yet to see him in the premier league this season.
He did the "PL Summer Series" along with Bramall this year so surprised he hasn't had any games also....maybe made a few mistakes in the championship?
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I’m surprised we haven’t been given a trial official at Fulham yet this season… usually we were the go to place for new officials.
Perhaps the Lewis Smith trial last season which doesn’t go very well for him v Villa torpedoed that for a while.
That’s not entirely true about Lewis Smith. That performance probably did hamper his development a bit but he was around in the premier league a fair bit last season.
Ipswich had him 3 times - and probably put in one of the best performances I saw live last season in Ipswich v Fulham - and I think he had a couple of others too.
But yes I am surprised we’ve yet to see him in the premier league this season.
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Robert Jones on 2 fourth official duties. Maybe he is on the naughty step after his performance at Nottingham?
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That is an extremely quick return to Bournemouth for Kav. It's also 2 days after he has Liverpool v Leeds - he could surely have been given a Sunday game.
1-1 draw incoming - well the last 4 games he has done have ended up as such! Not quick enough for me - we'd happily have him every game!
Looks like he’ll be in yellow again!
Par for the course! I think there is a big sign hung up in PGMOL Towers saying yellow shirts only at Dean Court!! Mr Webb may wish to avoid me at conference 2026 having promised me purple at conference 2025 and not even once... I shall be collecting a lot of brand new unworn purple shirts at the end of the season!!
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After these matches have played could posters please make comments on performances in the general discussion thread . This area is appointments-only many thanks for your cooperation.
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I’m surprised we haven’t been given a trial official at Fulham yet this season… usually we were the go to place for new officials.
Perhaps the Lewis Smith trial last season which doesn’t go very well for him v Villa torpedoed that for a while.
I may be alone in this but I am confused how Josh Smith hasn’t got a game in the PL. He had a few before his injury and seems to have been overtaken by Kirk, Donohue and Kitchen.
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We (Everton) didn’t have Kirk before - his first PL game was Burnley v Crystal Palace.
In at least 2 cases, we have referees taking charge of a team they had incredibly recently, and in a few more instances, the appointment is incredibly predictable.
My mistake! I thought I saw a picture of Kirk with Pickford in a bright green kit, must’ve been someone else!
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That is an extremely quick return to Bournemouth for Kav. It's also 2 days after he has Liverpool v Leeds - he could surely have been given a Sunday game.
1-1 draw incoming - well the last 4 games he has done have ended up as such! Not quick enough for me - we'd happily have him every game!
Looks like he’ll be in yellow again!
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I’m surprised we haven’t been given a trial official at Fulham yet this season… usually we were the go to place for new officials.
Perhaps the Lewis Smith trial last season which doesn’t go very well for him v Villa torpedoed that for a while.
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That is an extremely quick return to Bournemouth for Kav. It's also 2 days after he has Liverpool v Leeds - he could surely have been given a Sunday game.
1-1 draw incoming - well the last 4 games he has done have ended up as such! Not quick enough for me - we'd happily have him every game!
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We (Everton) didn’t have Kirk before - his first PL game was Burnley v Crystal Palace.
In at least 2 cases, we have referees taking charge of a team they had incredibly recently, and in a few more instances, the appointment is incredibly predictable.
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Another game for Tom Kirk which is very well deserved and another game for Donohue which I’m not sure is entirely deserved.
Taylor on Arsenal v Liverpool as expected really.
Didn't Donohue do Brentford in his last game too?
Yes, he did. Kirk also done Everton for his first game. Maybe lazy appointing or they may have reasoning for it.
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Donohue and Kirk in the driving seat for SG1 it seems. What about Kitchen ? Has he already potentially secured it or has his star waned ?
Nothing yet for Hallam or Ricardo and I'm surprised the Smiths, Lewis and Josh, aren't there.
I suppose we may see Allison back in the Premiership again but I have my doubts
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Stuart Attwell AGAIN ;D ;D
Third time for Sunderland this season and all when we visit some of the blue chip Premier League sides [ Manchester United and Liverpool being the others].
Just was hoping for a new name for us.
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Another game for Tom Kirk which is very well deserved and another game for Donohue which I’m not sure is entirely deserved.
Taylor on Arsenal v Liverpool as expected really.
Didn't Donohue do Brentford in his last game too?
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Will be the third season in a row that Taylor has got Arsenal v Liverpool, and he will have done 4 of the last 5 meetings between them. Funny how it plays out sometimes.
Is that the first time Hatzidakis is the lead VAR? I see Attwell is there for support.
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Boring set of appointments. Bankes clearly being pushed and seems quite clear now he will get one of the domestic cups (probably league cup).
harrington with a key 6 pointer at the bottom to reward his good run this season
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Big game for Bankes too at our place…
Harrington with a very good relegation scrap at West Ham, and no surprise to see Taylor at Arsenal.
Robinson with another short hop down the A27, Eastbound this time.
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Great to see Kirk and Donohue on PL Games, both well deserved in my opinion.
Gillett, Kavanagh, Hooper and Oliver with big games at the weekend and Taylor with the big game midweek.
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Another game for Tom Kirk which is very well deserved and another game for Donohue which I’m not sure is entirely deserved.
Taylor on Arsenal v Liverpool as expected really.
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That is an extremely quick return to Bournemouth for Kav. It's also 2 days after he has Liverpool v Leeds - he could surely have been given a Sunday game.
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Saturday 3rd January 2026
AFC Bournemouth (First Team) v Arsenal (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Kavanagh, Christopher
Assistant Referee: Cook, Dan
Assistant Referee: Hussin, Ian
Fourth Official: Smith, Lewis
Video Assistant Referee: Tierney, Paul
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Hopton, Nick Perry, Marc
Aston Villa FC (First Team) v Nottingham Forest F.C. (First Team) Live on TNT Sports
Premier League
Referee: Hooper, Simon
Assistant Referee: Holmes, Adrian
Assistant Referee: Long, Simon
Fourth Official: Bramall, Thomas
Video Assistant Referee: Howard, Paul
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Barrott, Sam
Brighton & Hove Albion FC (First Team) v Burnley FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Robinson, Tim
Assistant Referee: Smith, Wade
Assistant Referee: Howson, Akil
Fourth Official: Ward, Gavin
Video Assistant Referee: Hatzidakis, Constantine
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Attwell, Stuart
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (First Team) v West Ham United (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Bankes, Peter
Assistant Referee: Mainwaring, James
Assistant Referee: Antrobus, Blake
Fourth Official: Linington, James
Video Assistant Referee: Wood, Timothy
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Donohue, Matthew
Sunday 4th January 2026
Everton FC (First Team) v Brentford FC (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Taylor, Anthony
Assistant Referee: Beswick, Gary
Assistant Referee: Nunn, Adam
Fourth Official: Herczeg, Adam
Video Assistant Referee: Harrington, Tony
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Massey-Ellis, Sian
Fulham (First Team) v Liverpool FC (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Pawson, Craig
Assistant Referee: Betts, Lee
Assistant Referee: Wilkes, Matthew
Fourth Official: Barrott, Sam
Video Assistant Referee: Madley, Andrew
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Taylor, Craig
Leeds United AFC (First Team) v Manchester United FC (First Team) Live on TNT Sports
Premier League
Referee: Gillett, Jarred
Assistant Referee: Davies, Neil
Assistant Referee: Ledger, Scott
Fourth Official: Jones, Robert
Video Assistant Referee: Bell, James
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Hussin, Ian
Manchester City FC (First Team) v Chelsea (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Oliver, Michael
Assistant Referee: Burt, Stuart
Assistant Referee: Greenhalgh, Nick
Fourth Official: Hooper, Simon
Video Assistant Referee: England, Darren
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Robathan, Daniel
Newcastle United FC (First Team) v Crystal Palace FC (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Brooks, John
Assistant Referee: Bennett, Simon
Assistant Referee: Smart, Edward
Fourth Official: Bramall, Thomas
Video Assistant Referee: Donohue, Matthew
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Smith, Wade
Tottenham Hotspur (First Team) v Sunderland AFC (First Team) Live on Sky Sports
Premier League
Referee: Attwell, Stuart
Assistant Referee: Hatzidakis, Constantine
Assistant Referee: Perry, Marc
Fourth Official: Robinson, Tim
Video Assistant Referee: Salisbury, Michael
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Aspinall, Natalie
SG1 in the Championship
Sun 4th Jan 2026
Bristol City (First Team) v Preston North End FC (First Team)
Football League Championship
Referee: Tierney, Paul
Assistant Referee: Wood, Timothy
Assistant Referee: Meredith, Steven
Fourth Official: Reeves, Tom
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All live on Sky Sports
Tuesday 6th January 2026
West Ham United (First Team) v Nottingham Forest F.C. (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Harrington, Tony
Assistant Referee: Hussin, Ian
Assistant Referee: Massey-Ellis, Sian
Fourth Official: Donohue, Matthew
Video Assistant Referee: Davies, Neil
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Bankes, Peter
Wednesday 7th January 2026
AFC Bournemouth (First Team) v Tottenham Hotspur (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: England, Darren
Assistant Referee: Ledger, Scott
Assistant Referee: Howson, Akil
Fourth Official: Hallam, Farai
Video Assistant Referee: Gillett, Jarred
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Bennett, Simon
Brentford FC (First Team) v Sunderland AFC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Donohue, Matthew
Assistant Referee: Smith, Wade
Assistant Referee: Meredith, Steven
Fourth Official: Jones, Robert
Video Assistant Referee: Brooks, John Tierney, Paul
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Robinson, Tim
Burnley FC (First Team) v Manchester United FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Attwell, Stuart
Assistant Referee: Betts, Lee
Assistant Referee: Wood, Timothy
Fourth Official: Allison, Samuel
Video Assistant Referee: Pawson, Craig
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Burt, Stuart
Crystal Palace FC (First Team) v Aston Villa FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Madley, Andrew
Assistant Referee: Hopton, Nick Cook, Dan
Assistant Referee: Scholes, Mark
Fourth Official: Doughty, Leigh
Video Assistant Referee: Oliver, Michael
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Greenhalgh, Nick
Everton FC (First Team) v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Kirk, Thomas
Assistant Referee: Holmes, Adrian
Assistant Referee: Long, Simon
Fourth Official: Hooper, Simon
Video Assistant Referee: Kavanagh, Christopher
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Taylor, Craig
Fulham (First Team) v Chelsea (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Bankes, Peter
Assistant Referee: Smart, Edward
Assistant Referee: Antrobus, Blake
Fourth Official: Taylor, Anthony
Video Assistant Referee: Tierney, Paul Brooks, John
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Beswick, Gary
Manchester City FC (First Team) v Brighton & Hove Albion FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Bramall, Thomas
Assistant Referee: Davies, Neil
Assistant Referee: Wilkes, Matthew
Fourth Official: Harrington, Tony
Video Assistant Referee: Chilowicz, Alex
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Robathan, Daniel
Newcastle United FC (First Team) v Leeds United AFC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Salisbury, Michael
Assistant Referee: Perry, Marc
Assistant Referee: Hatzidakis, Constantine
Fourth Official: Backhouse, Anthony
Video Assistant Referee: Howard, Paul
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Massey-Ellis, Sian
Thursday 8th January 2026
Arsenal (First Team) v Liverpool FC (First Team)
Premier League
Referee: Taylor, Anthony
Assistant Referee: Beswick, Gary
Assistant Referee: Nunn, Adam
Fourth Official: Hooper, Simon
Video Assistant Referee: Brooks, John
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Robathan, Daniel