RateTheRef

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Apart from the penalty there were a couple of other odd decisions.  The clip above shows a corner where Donnarumma seems to have comfortably kept the ball in play.  Both the commentary on the City webpage and City fans at the match agree that this decision was given by the referee (some 25 yards away) and there was no flag by the Assistant referee.  (Edited)

The other was a discretionary choice, but one that I have rarely seen.  Doku was fouled, a regular occurrence, firstly as he was moving forward he was forcibly pushed in the back causing him to fall forward and then as he fell a boot was planted on his ankle.  A yellow card was issued and Doku was treated on the pitch.  He was then sent to the sidelines and not allowed to return to the field immediately.  Now the treatment was on the long side and I know referees have discretion on this matter, but in the circumstances I would regard that as a harsh decision.

Only managed to see about 2/3 rds of the game owing to accompanying my wife for an urgent opticians appointment,  Was pretty clear from the team selection that City were never going to cope with breakaways and then didn't show enough inventiveness up front to compensate.  So no complaints about the result which was largely self inflicted. 

Suppose I should be pleased that Dalot at least was shown a yellow card, fairly similar early challenges on City players haven't even resulted in cards at all.  However, any time after about 60 minutes and that would have been a red card in most referees’ eyes, I think.  I abhor this "amnesty' period in the early stages of games, referees should start as they mean to go on, otherwise they risk the game getting out of control or worse serious injury. 

Still doubt whether City would have got even a draw against 10 men.

Quote from: Claretman on Wed 14 Jan 2026 22:39

Quote from: PhiltheRef on Wed 14 Jan 2026 20:35

How many defending players were between Haaland and the Goal Line?

Does it matter if they arent interfering with play or their opponent?

How about they should clarify interfering as follows; any forward in an offside position between the goal posts or grappling with defenders in that area should be deemed offside. Thoughts?

I think what Phil was alluding to was look at the law and how many defensive players the attacker needs to be ahead of to be offside (clue: it isn't one).  The keeper is ahead of Thiaw, therefore the defensive line is drawn level with his derriere as he is the second last defender and that made Haaland well offside.

Indeed, but as written it implied that all that mattered was whether he was he in an offside position, (of which there is little doubt other than whether the methodology that was finally adopted was sufficiently robust) and not taking into account of the actions of the two entangled players.

VAR /  Kavanagh should have spent a bit of time looking at the challenge on Semenyo and I think they would have seen it was clearly a foul with Wissa’s only intent being to try and push Semenyo away from the ball.  If they had as fastidious in reviewing that then having decided that the goal couldn't stand they should have awarded a penalty.

I think up until this point, Kavs been really good. But this VAR check……… 🫠

But look at who called him to the screen.

My own thoughts are that if Mr Oliver had referreed the Chelsea game as well as Mr Bramall did this game he would have deserved the accolades he got on here. 

Mr Bramall did miss the penalty first time round but in fairness to him Doku did seem to fall in a manner that could have led one to think that the contact was not as great as it seemed.  Clearly a foul when seen in replay and from another angle.  He also missed a nasty looking lunge which should have been a yellow in my eyes.  Other than that I thought he was OK.

Broadly agree he was back to last season’s performances.  Only complaint was no yellow for a lunge on Doku but a yellow for Ake for a rather more innocuous looking challenge a bit later.  Otherwise fair for both sides.
Sunderland well disciplined, City a bit lacking in inventiveness.

As an aside, and not disputing the decision in this game, this semi automated VAR offside system seems to take longer and is less convincing than the previously used approach.