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Ref Watch: Luiz deserved red
- Updated: December 5, 2016
Ref Watch is back to debate another selection of controversial decisions from some of the weekend’s Premier League matches.
Former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher has been in the Sky Sports News HQ studio to analyse a number of contentious calls from weekend.
From debatable dismissals and dubious penalty decisions to unpunished horror tackles and uncontrollable melees, we have it all covered in this week’s edition.
Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea, Premier League, Saturday
INCIDENT: Chelsea defender David Luiz appears to block Sergio Aguero as the Manchester City striker attempts to break through on goal.
SCENARIO: Referee Anthony Taylor puts his whistle to his lips, but instead decides against awarding a free-kick despite the apparent foul that denied a goalscoring opportunity and would have seen Luiz sent off.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: David Luiz knows what he’s doing, the ball is within possession of Aguero once he gets past. The ball then only runs away because he stops him. I think it’s a foul and a red card.
You see Anthony make that decision in his head, then he takes his whistle away. All I can think is he’s had some input from one of his assistants to say it’s not [a foul] from their angle. That does surprise me because, having seen the incident, if I was the referee you’d have to sell me a big, big deal for me to change my mind like that.
Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea, Premier League, Saturday
INCIDENT: A brawl breaks out between the two teams after Aguero’s late red card for a rash challenge on Luiz.
SCENARIO: Players and coaching staff rush in from all sides with Manchester City 3-1 down. Fernandinho is also sent off for pushing Cesc Fabregas over an advertising hoarding, while the Chelsea midfielder himself and team-mate Nathaniel Chalobah are also booked.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Correct decision
DERMOT SAYS: The four officials are asked to make different angles, to ring-fence it and see who is an instigator and who is a peacemaker, if you like. When you saw that you’re seeing people come from the touchline, the bench, managers and everybody is involved.
Anthony has taken strong action against the obvious perpetrator Aguero, while Fernandinho also gets red carded [for pushing Fabregas]. Chalobah was carded for his aggressive push towards an opponent. What will happen now is Anthony will report this incident to the FA, who …
