Premier League Referee Insights: Gallagher Analyzes Key Incidents at Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea

Premier League Referee Dermot Gallagher Reviews Controversial Decisions from the Weekend

In this article, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher breaks down the contentious incidents from a thrilling weekend of action in the English Premier League. With many teams vying for top positions, every decision made on the pitch can have significant ramifications.

Manchester United 0 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur

Bruno Fernandes Red Card

One of the standout moments came when Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes received a straight red card for a high challenge on James Maddison. Gallagher stated that the referee likely couldn't see the challenge clearly. He noted it could have been a yellow card given that Fernandes slipped before contact.

Sue Smith chimed in: "Never a red. He slips and touches him with his heel. There's no force in it and it's not endangering the opponent."

Penalty Appeal Denied

Another controversy arose when Manchester United appealed for a penalty after a ball striking Cristian Romero's arm in the box.
Gallagher explained that the ball first hit Romero's chest, making it not a handball.

Arsenal 4 - 2 Leicester City

Gabriel Martinelli's Goal Validated

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli scored the first goal amidst Leicester's claims for a free-kick in the build-up. Gallagher firmly supported the referee's decision not to call a foul, explaining that VAR should not overturn the clear on-field decision.

Riccardo Calafiori's Challenge

Controversy continued as Riccardo Calafiori avoided a second booking after a challenge on Facundo Buonanotte. Gallagher referred to this being consistent with previous calls seen this season.

Newcastle United 1 - 1 Manchester City

Penalty Decision for Ederson's Challenge

A penalty was awarded to Newcastle when Ederson fouled Anthony Gordon. While Gallagher deemed it a correct decision, he clarified that it was not worthy of a red card.

Kyle Walker Incident

A challenge from Kyle Walker on Joelinton resulted in no penalty being given, with Gallagher describing it as just physical contact.

Chelsea 4 - 2 Brighton

Clumsy Challenge Leads to Penalty

Chelsea was awarded a penalty when Jadon Sancho was caught in a clash with Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Gallagher confirmed that it was an indisputable penalty.

Potential Red Card for Estupinan

Brighton's Pervis Estupinan remained on the pitch after bringing down Noni Madueke, which Gallagher assessed to be a yellow card but not an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Everton 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

James Tarkowski's Challenge

During Everton's match, Tarkowski faced scrutiny for a firm challenge on Mateta. Gallagher noted that while he made contact with the ball, the challenge itself was dangerous enough to warrant a penalty.

Wolves 1 - 2 Liverpool

Penalty for Holding in the Box

Wolves' Nelson Semedo holding Diogo Jota led to a penalty decision which Gallagher deemed clear and straightforward.

Controversy Over Salah's Appeal

Mohamed Salah's appeal for a penalty was rejected, with Gallagher arguing that there wasn't sufficient contact for a foul.

Final Thoughts

Dermot Gallagher's detailed examination of these controversial moments illustrates the complexities of decision-making on the pitch. As the Premier League continues, teams and fans alike will keep a close eye on the refereeing standards and the impact of these decisions on match outcomes.