2 Mar 2011 12:10:00
ANALYSIS
By Oliver Yew
The title race was blown open on Tuesday night as Chelsea came from behind to beat Premier League leaders Manchester United, but the result did not come without controversy.
Referee Martin Atkinson was centre of attention after the match after he made a number of controversial decisions which infuriated Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Goal.com UK takes a look back at the key incidents from the thrilling match and gives its verdict on whether the referee made the right call.
Fifth minute
Incident: Nani cuts inside Branislav Ivanovic and unleashes a right-footed shot from 25 yards which appears to be blocked inside the box by John Terry’s arm.
The ref’s decision: Play-on, no penalty.
Why is it controversial: With only a few minutes on the clock it would have been a huge decision for Martin Atkinson to give, but Terry does have history with handballs in the box. The Chelsea skipper’s arm was out by his side and he seemed to make no effort to get it out of the way.
The law: A direct free-kick is given when a player handles the ball deliberately. If this offence is committed by a player inside their own penalty area then it’s a penalty.
Goal.com verdict: The wrong decision. The ball travelled a long way giving John Terry enough time to get out of the way. A penalty should have been given.
45th minute
Incident: Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is shown a yellow card after bringing down Michael Essien on the edge of the box.
The ref’s decision: A foul and a yellow card for Vidic.
Why is it controversial: Nothing controversial about the actual decision but if Vidic gets a caution for bringing down Essien then the referee has laid his mark on the game and every foul of a similar nature after this incident needs to be treated with the same level of consistency.
The law: A direct free-kick can be awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, pushes an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.
A player can receive a caution for anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour.
Goal.com verdict: The correct decision.
59th minute
Incident: David Luiz goes in hard on Javier Hernandez after the ball had gone.
The ref’s decision: No foul.
Why is it controversial: It was a clear foul and one the referee should have seen. It left Sir Alex Ferguson fuming on the touchline and in the ear of the fourth official.
The law: A direct free-kick can be awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, pushes an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.
A player should be awarded a yellow card for any infringement that could be deemed unsporting behaviour.
Goal.com verdict: The referee should have given a direct free-kick and a yellow card.
61st minute
Incident: David Luiz challenge goes straight through the back of Wayne Rooney and completely takes the England striker out.
The ref’s decision: Foul and a yellow card.
Why is it controversial: There was nothing controversial about the actual decision as the referee got it spot on but had Martin Atkinson acted by the letter of the law two minutes earlier after Luiz’s challenge on Javier Hernandez, Chelsea’s £21 million defender would have got a second yellow and been sent off.
The law: A direct free-kick can be awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, pushes an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.
A player can receive a caution for persistent infringement of the laws, for example, a series of fouls. A yellow card can also be given for anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour.
A red card can be issued when a player receives a second caution in the match.
Goal.com verdict: The correct decision.
77th minute
Incident: David Luiz is involved again and this time he appears to body check Wayne Rooney off the ball.
The ref’s decision: No foul given.
Why is it controversial: It is the second foul David Luiz got away with after a similar incident with Javier Hernandez in the first half. It could be argued the Chelsea defender should have not been on the field after the first couple of incidents but Ferguson was furious after this last challenge which came just before the penalty. To rub salt into Manchester United’s wounds, Nemanja Vidic was sent off late into the game after his second booking, but Luiz survived.
The law: A direct free-kick can be awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, pushes an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.
A player can receive a caution for persistent infringement of the laws, for example, a series of fouls. A yellow card can also be given for anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour.
A red card can be issued when a player receives a second caution in the match.
Goal.com verdict: Definite foul and a yellow card.
80th minute
Incident: Chris Smalling brings down Yury Zhirkov in the box.
The ref’s decision: Penalty.
Why is it controversial: It is debatable whether Zhirkov ‘bought the foul’ and took the opportunity to go over Smalling’s outstretched leg.
The law: The law on giving penalties states a referee can award a spot kick after any foul which would normally lead to a direct free-kick that is committed by a team inside their own penalty area.
Goal.com verdict: The correct decision.
93rd minute
Incident: Nemanja Vidic is beaten for pace by Ramires and the Serbian defender tugs at his shirt bringing him down just outside the box.
The ref’s decision: Direct free-kick and a second yellow card for Vidic, resulting in a red card.
Why is it controversial: It was a definite yellow card and moments earlier Vidic made another reckless foul on Didier Drogba. There can be no complaints for United but after what had gone on before with David Luiz, they will feel hard done by. The United skipper did tug at the shirt of Ramires but it was no worse than had been committed by Luiz earlier. The red card means Vidic will miss the Sunday’s crucial fixture against Liverpool at Anfield.
The law: A direct free-kick can be awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent, pushes an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.
A player can receive a caution for persistent infringement of the laws, for example, a series of fouls. A yellow card can also be given for anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour.
A red card can be issued when a player receives a second caution in the match.
Goal.com verdict: The correct decision but there was no consistency shown in the game by referee Martin Atkinson.
See original here:
The key decisions referee Martin Atkinson got right – and wrong – in Chelsea’s win against Manchester United