A big win for Newcastle as they continue their push for European football and even more impressively for a place in next years Champions League. Although no disrespect to Newcastle if they do make it into the Champions League then it backs up the latest debate that English football is currently struggling.
Newcastle's win against Liverpool was the sixth league game out of their previous seven that Liverpool have lost. This is form that is going to see Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool's most celebrated player, start to fear for his job. Even if he will not admit this.
There were however some major talking points throughout the game and of course they all put the attention on the match referee, Martin Atkinson. So lets run through them.
Andy Carroll dive: Blatant. Went round the keeper who clearly did not not touch the Liverpool striker. In my opinion dives like this should be punished with a red card, not a yellow. If Martin Atkinson had not seen this was a dive, he would have red-carded the Newcastle goalkeeper and awarded Liverpool a penalty. It would have completely changed the game. Why should the attacker be allowed to get away with this? It is clear and blatant cheating.
Liverpool penalty appeal: No doubt a penalty and a red card for Danny Simpson. After Andy Carroll knocks the ball towards goal, Simpson clearly and deliberately moves his arm towards the ball to stop it crossing the line. He knew what he was doing and denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, which we all know is punishable with a red-card. However it was impossible for Martin Atkinson the referee to see this. But if he had, it would have been a very different game.
Pepe Reina red card: Unsure. After James Perch tripped Pepe Reina, the goalkeeper reacted badly by running at Perch and barging him. He then lowered his head towards the opposition player. It appeared to make contact with the Newcastle man, but the second camera angle shows there was no contact. Perch's reaction was awful, just as bad as Andy Carroll's dive. However Reina should know better.
Newcastle second goal: Offside. As Denba Ba plays the ball through, Papiss Cisse is clearly in an offside position. Hatem Ben Arfa tries to play the ball; if he had then Cisse would have been onside as it would be a different phase of play. But he does not touch it, therefore it is still the same phase of play and Ba is therefore offside.
Overall it was a mixed afternoon for the officials. But the result only continues to show Liverpool's frailties. However they are in an FA Cup Semi-Final and they have won the League Cup. This should just about save Dalglish for one more season.
No comments:
Post a Comment