Premier League Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher Analyzes Key Incidents at Chelsea, Everton, and More

Assessing the Weekend's Premier League Controversies: Insights from Dermot Gallagher

In the world of football, controversy is often just a match away. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher returns to analyze the contentious moments from the latest round of matches, providing insights on key decisions that sparked discussion among fans and analysts alike.

Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Incident: Clash Leading to Bookings

During the match, an incident arose when Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams pushed Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, causing him to collide with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. This confrontation led to a physical altercation involving multiple players, resulting in bookings for Williams, Cucurella, and Levi Colwill.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher noted, "When you see that situation, you pick out what you can with your colleagues and VAR. If there's anything left, the FA will intervene afterward." This highlights the collaborative effort among referees and video officials in assessing on-field incidents.

Everton 0-0 Newcastle

VAR's Key Role in Penalty Decision

In a key moment, VAR intervened to award Newcastle a penalty that was initially missed by the on-field officials. The incident involved James Tarkowski fouling Sandro Tonali inside the box, showcasing the importance of VAR in correcting potentially overlooked fouls.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher emphasized, "If you wrestle somebody to the ground like this, and the VAR spots it, you cannot unsee that as an official." This sentiment underscores the crucial influence of technology in modern officiating.

Penalty Claim Ignored for Everton's Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was adamant that he deserved a penalty after a tangle with Dan Burn, but referee Craig Pawson dismissed the claim. VAR also did not deem the incident an obvious error.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher remarked, "Dan Burn has been clever; he's put his foot across to protect the ball, and Calvert-Lewin has kicked him in the back of the leg rather than the other way around." This analysis illustrates the nuances in interpreting player interactions.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

Rashford's Yellow Card Controversy

Marcus Rashford's foul on Leon Bailey raised eyebrows as he was already on a yellow card. The larger debate centered around whether he should have received a second booking.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher pointed out, "What saves him is Dalot, who comes and sweeps the ball up. The argument is he's not breaking a promising attack." This reflects the complexities involved in deciding card offenses.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool

Potential Penalty for Palace?

In a closely contested match, a foul by Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk on Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi in the penalty area sparked debate regarding whether a penalty should have been awarded.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher explained that the decision was based on whether the holding had significant impact, stating, "They felt that it had no impact because it wouldn't go to Guehi." It emphasizes the need for clarity in interpreting such situations.

Arsenal 3-1 Southampton

Controversial Goal Counted

In Arsenal's match, Gabriel Martinelli scored, but there was a question about whether Mikel Merino's offside position should have canceled out the goal.

Dermot's Analysis: "Merino can't ever play the ball, it's so far above him. It's quite rightly given as a goal," Gallagher clarified, emphasizing the importance of understanding offside intricacies.

Portsmouth 1-1 Oxford: A Serious Incident

Discriminatory Comments in the Stands

In a significant incident reported during the EFL match between Portsmouth and Oxford, referee Lewis Smith paused the game due to discriminatory comments allegedly made from the stands.

Dermot's Analysis: Gallagher condemned the behavior, stating, "This is totally out of order. You can't have this. Zero tolerance." He described the protocol referees follow in such incidents, highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment in football.

Conclusion

Dermot Gallagher’s analysis sheds light on the sometimes contentious world of football officiating. As debates around VAR and refereeing decisions continue, insights like Gallagher's help fans and stakeholders navigate the intricacies of the game.