RateTheRef

I agree with the posters so far that England missed a clear red card from Williams first half. I would though applaud the teamwork for the red card for Benrahma’s reaction though, although the initial challenge should definitely have been cautioned too (if as suggested above it wasn’t)?

My issue is that as a referee you could clearly see that the game was feisty and before the Williams challenge you just knew a bigger tackle was coming and he did nothing to control the situation.

This is about smelling the danger earlier. If that means giving a few simple soft free kicks to gain back control then so be it… but he clearly didn’t see it coming (which is a bigger issue and one he struggled with multiple times when watching him on the Championship years ago). However, the problem with preventative refereeing is you’ll get so called experts on sites like this saying his foul detection is “random” because he’s refereeing by a feeling of the game to keep control and maybe giving a few soft ones to keep his foot on it.

Overall I just think England needs help and support to get his confidence back after the incident at Spurs earlier in the season. And maybe needs to think about being more preventative in his approach to controlling a game.

The difference is one was given by the onfield referee (incorrectly in most people’s opinions) and one wasn’t.

So by your strange consistency theory if a referee makes an error in judgement on the opening day of the season then our referees should continue to apply the same error every single game for the remainder of the season so as to appear consistent?

I think learning from a mistake and applying the learning is a far better way forwards for our elite referees and it appears that’s what they have done. Simple

If this ****-sure approach you say is something that is common amongst top level referees, is it possible that this is something that is needed to deal with the egos being vastly paid and arguing about every decision? If a referee is unsure or nervous looking people complain about then being indecisive. When a referee holds themselves strongly we say they’re ****-sure or arrogant. I don’t think they can win!

Readingfan is completely 100% correct in terms of application of the law and I believe the VAR and Brooks were also completely correct to disallow the goal.

I feel that the terminology used in law actually makes it sound incorrect as they use “deliberate play” when the reality is it’s more like a deliberate pass or full ball under control needed to be classed as a deliberate play in law. Any block, save or stretching attempt to touch the ball is basically a deflection and not classed as a deliberate play in law whether the defender moves towards the ball deliberately or not.

Sadly most football fans have no idea about law application and there in lies the problem with modern refereeing.

Also, as Dermot explained today, the Palace Fulham goal was different as the only touches after the initial free kick come from a defender and not an attacker, and as Ward was onside when the ball was whipped in initially it is clearly a correct goal.

The problem with “soft penalties” like the Maddison one is that if you don’t give it then how do you defend it? (Especially in a VAR world).  The defender clearly moves his leg out and kicks Maddison in the shin. The fact he falls theatrically is neither here nor there when the defender hasn’t played the ball.

The Leno penalty is pretty clear cut and as the commentator said on the tv… it “was never going to be overturned” by VAR.

Also a very impressive advantage goal for the second Willian strike (Fulham’s 5th), and the cherry on top of a yellow card afterwards for the reckless tackle! All in all it appeared to be a pretty good showing from the referee team

A really good read that. Great insight to how these guys analyse and discuss incidents and what makes them tick

I felt the team of officials were excellent yesterday afternoon. Low key, efficient and in the background where necessary. Exactly what was needed after the day before.

Re the Grealish penalty; if this didn’t get awarded I’m almost certain the same posters would be calling for a foul and would be talking about clear contact on his heels from a clumsy defender. Another example where a referee simply cannot win whatever he gives. However, in my humble opinion, by awarding the penalty they simply do not lose. Which in the life as a referee is as good as it gets. The defender needs to avoid any contact with the legs when following an attacker closely into the box.

I watched last nights showing and thought that the whole referee team had a great game. They let it flow where possible, sensibly managed the game and dealt with any flash points quickly and sensibly.

On the talking point about McTominay… I honestly don’t understand how anyone could think that is a penalty in the PL (let alone a clear and obvious error). The defenders foot is grounded and his action is completed. The attacker clearly runs straight into it deliberately. He actually kicks the back of the defenders leg and not the other way around. He’s initiated contact to try and ‘buy’ a cheap penalty. The referee had a good angle in and clearly made his decision pretty sharpish.