Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses the controversial moments of the festive campaign, including Joao Pedro’s “stunning” red card escape for an elbow in Brighton’s goalless draw with Brentford.
“Brighton” 0-0 “Brentford”.
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Brighton’s Pedro was shown a red card by VAR after appearing to elbow Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoluk.
Incident: Brighton striker Joao Pedro escaped punishment for elbowing Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoluk after being cautioned for pulling the Brazilian’s shirt.
DERMOTT SAYS: “I don’t know what to say. I expected him to go, and then I was told it was because he didn’t make any contact and the player didn’t have to take evasive action.
“Well, you can read into that what you want, I think he had the best Christmas present he could ever have, no red card.
“I’ll be surprised if someone doesn’t vote a red card during your poll.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that football expects a red card there and the referees need to be told they need to take a stand and say it’s unacceptable.
Regarding retroactive action. “He was lucky because the referee was guided by VAR, which checked for possible violent behavior and said no because he missed the player and didn’t have to resort to evasive action.
“He prosecuted that incident, so it was resolved and closed.”
“Fulham” 2-2 “Bournemouth”.
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The Ref Watch team have discussed whether Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie should have been red-carded for his challenge on Fulham’s Anthony Robinson.
Incident: Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie was booked only for two-footed Fulham left-back Anthony Robinson and VAR agreed with referee Rob Jones’ on-field decision.
DERMOTT SAYS: “He got a lot of the ball, which saved him from getting a red card. if he didn’t get any of the ball he would definitely be sent off.
“He connects with the ball first and then connects with Robinson, so the referee gave him a yellow card on that basis, so the VAR stuck to it. But it wasn’t a nice arrow.”
“Crystal Palace” 2-1 “Southampton”.
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VAR ruled out an equalizer for Crystal Palace after Jean-Philippe Mateta appeared to push Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Incident: Trevo Chalobah’s goal against Southampton against Crystal Palace is leveled by VAR for a potential foul on Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
DERMOTT SAYS: “I actually think it’s a goal. When the ball comes in, it’s Ramsdale who actually pushes Jean-Philippe Mateta first.
“I can’t see how you can side with one over the other. If you think one is pushing, you have to say the other is pushing.”
Motherwell 2-2 Rangers
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The Ref Watch panel discussed whether Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was lucky to commit a foul after Motherwell scored from a corner.
Incident: Motherwell’s Tony Watt had a goal ruled out for a foul on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland to deny the hosts a 3-1 lead.
DERMOTT SAYS: “It’s like the Ramsdale game, the only thing is his hand in the air, grabbing his arm. The referee (Kevin Clancy) thinks so because he blows early.”
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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell was furious that his side had a goal disallowed in their draw with Rangers.
Incident: Rangers believed Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ opener for Motherwell should have been ruled out for handball.
DERMOTT SAYS: “It’s really intriguing. the ball hits the goal scorer’s hand, so the question has to be, is it intentional? Because that’s all you can give, because he didn’t score from it, the ball went to another player (Tawanda Maswanhise) before he scored.
“I think his (Stamatelopoulos) hands are jammed, the VAR (Steven McLean) said it wasn’t intentional, so it’s game on and he scores.”
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Scottish Premiership highlights between Motherwell and Rangers
Incident: Motherwell’s Lennon Miller was only booked for a late tackle on Rangers’ Oscar Cortes.
DERMOTT SAYS:I looked at this and he gets the ball behind the man, he gets the man first and it’s not a pretty tackle. the only thing that saves him is the referee is very close, I don’t think he sees it as clearly as we do.
“That’s the dilemma with VAR, what’s the threshold for intervention, what’s the clear and obvious foul, the referee is on the spot, he’s given a yellow card and they’ve stuck to it.”
