For me the argument about VAR ended at the Cup final.
There was just no justification for not sending Henderson off for DOGSO when, 20 yards from his goal, he palmed the ball away from Haaland.
Assuming that the VAR official simply bottled such a game-changing decision because it was the FA cup final rather than anything more sinister, why would we want a system whereby on the biggest of occasions, they still don't get the biggest decisions right?
VAR was supposed to be limited to the game changing decisions in particular goals, red cards and penalties. What we have managed to achieve, somehow, is a system whereby in meaningless mid-table mid season fixtures they will happily chalk off a goal for being offside by a nasal hair, whereas the most blatant decisions don't get given in the very biggest matches.
So why bother?
I used to tire of dogshit decisions going against City, especially things like the penalty shouts in favour of the opposition which you just knew would never be given against Liverpool or United. But have we ended up with a system that is actually better? Seems to me we have swapped one set of bullshit rules for another.
Credit where credit is due. Wasn't much to do, so he didn’t create work for himself. Kept it flowing, played advantage where he could. Corrected his only serious error.Andy Madeley has developed into a much better ref than we saw a few seasons ago Not a lot to do today but he didn’t make it a about himself was up with play and help the game flow
See above.There was a lengthy stoppage for an injury to a Sunderland player who received treatment. Play resumed without him leaving the field. What's all that about?
Yeah, and probably the first game this season where the opposition didn't get a stream of free kicks for brushing an arm. First ref this season where I wasn\t cursing the whistling wanker. But don't get me started on his brother!Andy Madeley has developed into a much better ref than we saw a few seasons ago Not a lot to do today but he didn’t make it a about himself was up with play and help the game flow
I'm one of the 'not many'! I give 'em the benefit of the doubt and by the first use of the whistle I've lost any faith in whoever it is!Not many bigger critics of referees than me but he did well yesterday. He’ll make up for it somewhere down the line though no doubt.
I’ve just re-watched the match. That referee was fucking shite.I'm one of the 'not many'! I give 'em the benefit of the doubt and by the first use of the whistle I've lost any faith in whoever it is!
Cue Arsenal players colliding with each other in order to achieve tactical timeouts.From IFAB
A player who is assessed and/or treated on the pitch must then leave the pitch, except when:
the injured player is a goalkeeper
a goalkeeper and an outfield player collide with each other and need attention
players from the same team collide and need attention
a player is injured by a foul for which the offender is shown a yellow or red card
a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will take the kick
How he didn't give him a straight red I've no idea, that's his job, it was an awful tackle, doesn't matter when the tyne/wear derby is.Didn't want to send off O'Nien right at the death either, especially with the Tyne-Wear derby being on the horizon for one of the original Sunderland Till I Die cast members, but ended up having no choice
50/50 were more like 40/60's in their favour and his 'advantage' play was also poor, but at least he wasn't the centre of attention.I’ve just re-watched the match. That referee was fucking shite.
Never forgot his incompetence in the one all home draw with lampards Everton who were guilty of this worst unpunished time wasting I can recall; however yesterday I thought he was fine, and Sunderland to their credit came to play against us, relying on defence rather than time wasting. Probably the best ref we’ve had this season
This is a symptom of VAR he probably knew it was borderline they are on constant chat it’s like a commentary so they give a yellow whilst their mate checks it telling them what they saw then off to the monitor know full well they are going to change. ItHow he didn't give him a straight red I've no idea, that's his job, it was an awful tackle, doesn't matter when the tyne/wear derby is.