Decision to send off Paul Pogba was a 'tremendous decision', says Dermot Gallagher

Last Updated: 04/12/17 3:46pm

Was Jon Moss right to book Adam Smith?

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Was Jon Moss right to book Adam Smith?
Was Jon Moss right to book Adam Smith?

The decision to send off Paul Pogba has been hailed as a "tremendous" decision by Dermot Gallagher in this week's Ref Watch.

Also up for discussion were Arsenal's penalty appeal against Manchester United and Davinson Sanchez's red card against Watford.

Read on to see Dermot's verdict on the weekend's biggest incidents and if they were handled properly by the officials...

Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United

INCIDENT: Paul Pogba was red carded for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin. He will now miss the Manchester derby, live on Super Sunday.

VERDICT: Correct call.

DERMOT SAYS: I think it's a red card. It's a tremendous spot by the referee. I didn't expect a red card until I saw the replay. It's serious foul play. Where he went was dangerous with excessive force, without doubt it's a red card. The referee did great. Since I've seen the replay I've not seen any detractors. People have said 'definite red card'.

INCIDENT: The Gunners could have had a penalty late on when Matteo Darmian felled Danny Welbeck in the box. No penalty was awarded.

VERDICT: Penalty.

DERMOT SAYS: This is a pity as it's the best game we've seen all season and was the best refereeing performance but this was the only blot on what was a superb game by all the officials. They've just not seen this one. Whether they've thought Danny Welbeck slipped, I'm not sure. But it's a definite penalty. They obviously thought it was a slip.

Watford 1-1 Tottenham

INCIDENT: Referee Martin Atkinson sends off Davinson Sanchez for violent conduct for a clash with Watford winger Richarlison.

VERDICT: Correct call.

DERMOT SAYS: This is the right decision and great teamwork from the officials. The best view anyone had of this was the fourth official, who relayed to the referee what the player had done. When you see it from behind, it's a definite red card.

INCIDENT: With one of the last attacks of the game, Watford appeal for a penalty when the ball seems to strike Eric Dier's hand. Nothing is given.

VERDICT: Penalty.

DERMOT SAYS: It's handball for me. Unfortunately the referee's view is obstructed by Dier's body and with the amount of bodies in the box, the linesman can't see it either.

Bournemouth 1-1 Southampton

INCIDENT: Jon Moss books Adam Smith for simulation after going down in the box. The referee apologised afterwards to the player for not awarding a penalty.

VERDICT: Penalty.

DERMOT SAYS: Yes, it's a penalty. We talk about players winning penalties, here, Smith has lost the penalty. It is a foul but the way he goes oversells to the referee that he's dived. Jon Moss' instant reaction is to think he's dived.

INCIDENT: Ryan Bertrand enjoyed a humorous moment with the Bournemouth supporters at the end of Southampton's 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday after he committed a foul throw.

DERMOT SAYS: The ball doesn't come into play, so he's entitled to take it again. He's made light of it and he's got away with a very embarrassing situation by getting everyone to chuckle about it.