The Premier League returned at the weekend after the international break and it was penalty decisions that once again took centre stage for English referees.
There was a total of 6 penalties awarded with all 6 being scored, and there were two clear-cut penalties both not awarded in the same game.
Jon Moss who has recently climbed his way onto the Premier League officials list had a tough game at Goodison Park where Wolves were the visitors. Shortly before half-time Moss had the simple decision of awarding Wolves a penalty for a blatant trip by Fellaini on Edwards. However the pressure that comes with officiating at Goodison Park arguably took its toll on Moss who awarded a late penalty to Everton. It was the slightest nudge on Saha was deemed to be enough for the referee to point to the spot. Harsh but fair.
Chris Foy awarded two penalties to home side Manchester City and both were correctly given. The first for a handball by Ryan Taylor. It was a case of ball hitting his arm rather then hand to ball, but the defender was making himself big and with this his arm was in an unnatural position.
The second penalty left referee Foy in an impossible position but was correctly given. Micah Richards surged into the Newcastle penalty area but purposely slowed down as to ensure he was caught by the defender. The penalty was correct awarded, however a player should try to score when they have the chance not play for a penalty.
The fifth penalty of the weekend game at the DW stadium in the match between Wigan and Blackburn. Andre Marriner will not have an easier penalty decision to make this season as a high Wigan boot caught Paul Robinson high up on his forehead. In years gone by this would have been seen as dangerous play, however nowadays any physical contact is deemed a direct free-kick and as this was in the penalty area, it was correctly punished with a spot-kick. On a different indicent Marriner will now want to watch every corner kick that is taken!
The sixth and final penalty came at the Hawthorns which was awarded by another new Premier League referee Neil Swarbrick. A clumsy foul by Jerome Thomas was enough for a penalty and shows that players do not learn from their previous mistakes - it was almost identical to the penalty he game away against Liverpool just a few weeks earlier.
It was however a bad day for Michael Jones at the Brittania stadium as he failed to award two stonewall penalties. With three minutes remaining Joey Barton took down Robert Huth with an unnecessary tackle in the penalty area however Jones did not see reason to award a penalty. Earlier in the game the match official failed to spot a clear trip by the same man on Jermaine Pennant.
And finally, age may have finally caught up with the Premier Leagues oldest referee, Peter Walton. He was appointed to the south-coast derby in the Championship between Southampton and Brighton. The 52 year-old official had 5 major decisions and unfortunately managed to get just one correct.
