Monday 14 March 2016 17:45, UK
Should West Ham have had a penalty at Manchester United? Should United's equaliser have counted? Why was Gabriel not sent off for his challenge on Troy Deeney? And did the referee make the right decision on Diego Costa's clash with Gareth Barry?
In his weekly Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher gives his view on the weekend's big issues.
MATCH: Manchester United 1-1 West Ham, Sunday
INCIDENT: At 0-0, Dimitri Payet goes over in the area after a challenge from Marcos Rojo. Referee Martin Atkinson waves play on.
GALLAGHER'S VERDICT: Penalty
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: It is difficult for Atkinson in real time, but I think he's [Rojo] caught him. The assistant probably had the best view, but whether Atkinson has asked him, we don't know.
There is no tangible evidence as to what has happened between the referee and his assistant. When a big decision comes, we are not aware if the assistant has had an impact on the decision through their headset.
MATCH: Manchester United 1-1 West Ham, Sunday
INCIDENT: As a cross comes over to the far post, Anthony Martial equalises for United, but replays show Bastian Schweinsteiger impeded West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph as Martial's effort went goalwards.
GALLAGHER'S VERDICT: Foul
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: He blocks the goalkeeper off. There is so much going on there, and I can understand why this is missed. To illustrate that, we've had to have it pointed out and watched many times.
The key issue here is when the ball is going into Martial, that's where the referee's attention has to be, because if Martial commits a foul or a foul on him that's going to be priority.
He's watching Martial and watching the defender in case he takes him, and the actual block off by Schweinsteiger happens six or seven yards off the ball, and by the time he looks back the damage is done.
MATCH: Arsenal 1-2 Watford, Sunday
INCIDENT: As Gabriel and Troy Deeney go into a tackle, the Arsenal defender challenges two-footed and the ball travels in front of him as if he has won it. Referee Andre Marriner waves play on and gestures as if to say the ball was won.
GALLAGHER'S VERDICT: Foul and red card for Gabriel
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Red card. He's out of control, off the ground, intensity, two-footed and doesn't play the ball. It ticks all the boxes for a red card. I can accept that because it is a 50-50 it makes it harder for the referee, but he had a perfect viewing angle, a side-on angle.
The amazing thing is that the referee makes the gesture as if he has got the ball, but he hasn't. I find it easier to forgive a referee when he says he didn't see it.
MATCH: Everton 2-0 Chelsea, Saturday
INCIDENT: Diego Costa responded to a tackle from Gareth Barry, moving his head towards him and in the direction of his neck, but both Costa and Barry claim the striker did not bite. Costa was sent off for a second booking and reacted angrily, while Barry himself was sent off for another second bookable offence three minutes later after a foul on Cesc Fabregas.
GALLAGHER'S VERDICT: Depends on Michael Oliver's report.
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: It all depends on what Michael says. It was a tough game and he handled it really well, he didn't rush it or get overcome by everything, and he stood back. He took the right action with Costa and it calmed it down very quickly. It depends on what the FA decide afterwards and what they see on the video.
He has to referee each incident separately. What he did very well was not get sucked into throwing yellow cards about like confetti early on. He dealt with Costa and Barry, and neither of them can argue that they didn't deserve to get sent off in the end.
MATCH: Stoke 1-2 Southampton, Saturday
INCIDENT: Sadio Mane is sent off for an aerial challenge with Erik Pieters by referee Lee Mason. Mane's arms do not clash with Pieters' head.
GALLAGHER VERDICT: No red card, no foul
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: I don't think it's a foul. I think he has completely misjudged it for whatever reason. There is a clash of heads and you would think that's what Pieters' reaction is. If you watch it, there is no reaction from any other player. No player is rushing in, and Mane's arm is very low.
I don't think he gave it enough time to think it through. Given his time again, if he looked and thought it through, he would have come to a different decision.
MATCH: Charlton 2-0 Middlesbrough, Sunday
INCIDENT: The match is stopped by referee Darren Deadman after several whistles are heard by the crowd during protests by Charlton fans. Deadman tells security that an announcement must be made. The match is also stopped on several occasions as beach balls were thrown onto the pitch.
GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Well, it wasn't just someone, it was many people, and I think he did well by going to the security and saying they have to make an announcement.
It did impact the players, as some of them stopped thinking it was the referees whistle. It was interesting that later in the game a supporter actually went to another few supporters and told them to pack it up.
