Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher Analyzes Controversial Premier League Moments

Controversial Premier League Referee Decisions: Weekend Recap

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses key controversial decisions from the weekend's Premier League matches. During this recap, we dive into incidents involving teams like Bournemouth, Newcastle, Manchester United, and more. Find out what Gallagher and other pundits think about these critical moments.

Was Ouattara's Goal for Bournemouth Legitimate?

One of the major talking points from the weekend was Bournemouth's disallowed goal against Newcastle. Dango Ouattara appeared to score a stoppage-time winner, but it was ruled out for handball after a VAR review.

Incident: Referee David Coote initially awarded the goal, but VAR Tim Robinson overturned the decision despite replays indicating the ball might have touched Ouattara's shoulder.

Dermot Gallagher's Take: "I was surprised. Everyone expected the goal would stand, and I felt the handball decision was a subjective one. There will certainly be split opinions on this."

Joelinton's Yellow Card: A Mistake?

In another contentious decision, Newcastle's Joelinton escaped with just a yellow card for his challenge on Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto during injury time.

Dermot Gallagher's Opinions: "There was no way this was a red card. Joelinton's intention seemed purely to delay Neto rather than to inflict harm. I believe the referee made the right choice."

Was Garnacho's Goal Valid?

Manchester United suffered another setback with an unfortunate incident involving Joshua Zirkzee during their match against Brighton.

Dermot Gallagher's Insights: "It's hard to say Zirkzee was not trying to score, but his offside position played a crucial role here. He was clearly offside, and the decision was correct."

Did Jota Deserve a Red Card?

During Liverpool's victory over Brentford, Diogo Jota raised eyebrows with a challenge that many deemed dangerous.

Dermot Gallagher's Opinion: "This was not a red card for me. It was definitely an arm movement that hit Nathan Collins, but I wouldn't classify it as violent conduct."

Leicester's Equalizer: Right Call?

Wout Faes scored a goal that was initially ruled out for offside but was later allowed after a VAR check.

Dermot Gallagher's Comments: "VAR did a fantastic job here; Jamie Vardy did not interfere with play at all. Great decision by the officials."

Penalty Decision at Man City: Fair or Not?

In the exciting match against Ipswich, a penalty was awarded to Manchester City following a foul by Leif Davis.

Dermot Gallagher's Views: "This was a clear and obvious error, and I think the referee made the correct call after viewing the incident on the monitor."

Was Mosquera Lucky?

Wolves' Yerson Mosquera faced scrutiny after a close call during a match against Chelsea.

Dermot Gallagher's Conclusion: "I don't believe it was a red card, especially since there was a foul earlier that, had it been called, could have altered the situation. The referee handled it well given the context of the game."

Join the Discussion

What are your thoughts on these controversial decisions? Share your opinions on social media or in the comments below! For more in-depth analyses and updates, follow our articles on Premier League officiating and match highlights.

Key Takeaways

• Controversial VAR decisions continue to spark debate among fans and pundits.
• The subjective nature of officiating can lead to differing opinions on what constitutes a foul or a goal.
• Increased scrutiny on referee decisions highlights the importance of consistency and transparency in officiating.

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