Dermot Gallagher breaks down the big events of the weekend’s Premier League games. Did Tottenham deserve a penalty in the build-up to Arsenal’s second goal during the Gunners’ north London derby win? And why Cody Gakpo was denied a goal during Liverpool’s draw at West Ham.
14:04, UK, Monday 29 April 2024
Dermot Gallagher returns for a busy ref watch, with the former Premier League referee reviewing the controversial events of the weekend’s action.
‘Gakpo incident an avoidable mess’
incident: Anthony Taylor stopped Cody Gakpo from scoring after Alphonse Areola pulled down for a free-kick – despite the referee not calling a foul.
The ref watch panel has given its opinion on the controversial moment in Liverpool’s game with West Ham when Cody Gakpo was stopped from putting the ball into the net.
Dermot says: “This is a mess that could have been avoided very easily.
“Areola catches the ball – I think it hits the post. Anthony Taylor, for whatever reason, signals the advantage.
“But when he goes back to the field, Areola throws the ball to the ground. The referee sees it, blows it and decides that the goalkeeper needs treatment.
“He has acquitted himself well of seeing Gakpo close and the player needs treatment, but wonders if it went into the net.
“But he actually decided he didn’t need treatment. That’s where he makes a mistake – he turns his back on the ball. For that period, you’re not in control of the situation.”
‘Fair call to disallow Van de Ven’s goal’
incident: Mickey van de Ven’s goal for Tottenham against Arsenal was disallowed by VAR for slight offside.
The Spurs defender was ahead of the game when Pedro Porro struck the ball – but it beat Tehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel before reaching Van de Ven.
Dermot says: “The argument is, ‘Did Tomiyasu intentionally play the ball, did he hit it or did he block it?’
“I don’t think it’s a football action. His knees are bent and his legs are together. It flew off Gabriel.
“I think it’s a fair call – it has affected him. VAR is absolutely right.”
Should Spurs have been penalized?
incident: Spurs wanted a penalty for Leandro Troussard’s challenge on Dejan Klosewski before Arsenal scored their second goal.
Dermot says: “I think he has a little nick on him but then he clips his heel. For me, minimal contact – no penalty.”
Stephen Warnock: “I think it’s a penalty. The big thing for me is whether it’s minimal contact or not, contact.
“I don’t like it because it’s very difficult to get out of the way. Trossard clips his heel, which causes him to cross his legs.
“You’ve knocked my leg off by interfering with my progression, where I can only kick my leg. But I don’t go down unless you touch me. It can only be a penalty.” ”
White’s ‘subtle’ moves with Vicario on the corners
incident: Ben White marks Guglielmo Vicario in the North London derby and tries to take the Spurs goalkeeper’s gloves off.
No action is taken on the weapon guard.
The Reef Watch panel debates whether Ben White was lucky to escape punishment after several incidents with Guglielmo Vicario.
Dermot says: “If the referee sees it, he can speak to it. He can’t allow it and he can’t give a free kick because the ball is dead.
“Does he decide it’s unsporting behavior and give him a yellow card? Does he go to him and give him a public warning? Or does he not see it – which I don’t think he does because it Very subtle.”
‘VAR right to intervene on Dasi goal’
incident: Chelsea thought they had scored a stoppage-time winner at Aston Villa through Axel Disasi – only for referee Craig Pawson to disallow the goal for a push by Benoit Badiachel on Diego Carlos following a pitchside review.
Dermot says: “I thought at the time it was a foul. I thought a foul was going to be called and I was surprised it wasn’t.
“When the goal was scored, I was sure VAR would pick it up.
“If the players are side by side and he goes with his shoulder, that’s fine. But the player’s [Badiashile] Behind him and he goes into his back.
“The ball is out of the picture and the law says if you’re going to push someone, the ball has to be playable.
“I think he misjudges that it’s not a foul. It’s clear and obvious.
“We have a referee and we have VAR, so we have different tolerance levels. Craig Pawson doesn’t think it was wrong but I do, so if I was VAR, I would have warned you. Go to screen .
“He can get on the screen and hold his ground.”
‘No evidence to rule out Villa opener’
incident: In the build-up to Aston Villa’s opener against Chelsea, the ball appears to be out of play on the touchline – but play continues and a goal is awarded.
Dermot says: “There is no evidence that the ball is out of play. I think that could be the reason. [Lucas] Dagon dropped the ball…
“But the ball goes away, where [Leon] Bailey has been challenged twice. [Marc] Cucurella. It then goes back to another villa player, who has challenged. [Mykhailo] Evidence It then goes the other way.
“There’s 24 seconds between that ball going out and the ball going in. It’s too far back and the assistant will say the ball didn’t go out.”
‘Gordon Penalty Award Too Harsh’
incident: Newcastle were awarded a penalty for Sheffield United’s Mason Holgate’s foul on Anthony Gordon – which started outside the box.
Dermot says: “There are actually two trips, but the second one is on the line or actually in the area so the referee is within his rights to award a penalty.
“I listen to VAR – that’s what they said.”
Stephen Warnock: “The first trip leads to the second trip — that’s the knock-on effect of the first foul. I think that’s pretty harsh.
“It’s such a tough call.”
‘Good use of VAR to overturn Chef Utd’s penalty’
incident: Sheffield United were denied a late penalty after an on-field review recommended by VAR overturned an initial decision to penalize a challenge on Jayden Bogle inside the box.
Dermot says: “He definitely gets the ball and then the player goes over his leg. It wasn’t a foul.”
Sue Smith: “Credit where credit is due – that was a really good use of VAR.”
‘VAR has learned and Onana hasn’t’
incident: Burnley were awarded a late penalty for Andre Ona’s foul on Zacky Amdoni at Manchester United.
The challenge was similar to an incident against Wolves earlier in the season, which went unpunished. PGMOL later decided to apologize for its mistake in the matter.
Dermot says: “There is a great learning process in it. For eight months we see the same goalkeeper at the same end making the same challenge. We were not given a penalty on the night. A penalty was given on Saturday.
“That’s a huge step forward. Instead of trying to be consistent, they’ve said, ‘We got it wrong and we’re going to get it right’.”
Stephen Warnock: “VAR has learned and Onana has not.”
‘It would have been tough to fine Man Utd’
incident: Man Utd were not awarded a penalty against Burnley for a handball by Vitinho after the ball hit his hand.
Erik ten Hague questioned why it wasn’t awarded but Aaron van Bissaka’s handball against Coventry in the FA Cup was.
Dermot says: “They were unlucky against Coventry. I said it was tough on Van Bissaka. It could have been tougher.
“The only thing you can say about Van Bissaka is that the ball went too far and it was too short.
“I didn’t think any of them were penalties.”
Credit : www.skysports.com
