Another blockbuster weekend of Premier League action and another slew of controversial moments in the world’s greatest league.
The incident: Southampton score a goal after a Kyle Walker-Peter’s throw in
I was surprised this goal was not disallowed and did not create a fair amount of controversy, Walker-Peters clearly stepped onto the pitch to throw the ball and the decision is more baffling because the assistant referee is right there. The only possible explanation is that Tomas Soucek’s clearance is deemed to have reset the phase therefore the throw-in was in a different phase but it is still shocking a foul throw was not called immediately after Walker-Peters threw the ball
The incident: Sean Longstaff trips Jadon Sancho in the box, and a penalty was not given
This was another strange decision from the referee. Craig Pawson had the perfect view of the incident, but he must have deemed there was not enough contact to give the penalty against Newcastle United. In a game where chances were difficult to come by a penalty would have swung the game firmly in Manchester United’s favour. Sancho is clearly fouled in the box and Longstaff does not touch the ball. Stonewall penalty and a poor decision
The incident: Phil Foden scores after Erling Haaland wins the ball back in midfield. The goal is disallowed
This goal was controversial for a number of reasons, all surrounding the Manchester City striker. Firstly, he pulled Fabinho to initially win the ball back for his side but later in the move it is not clear if Allison is in control of the ball after he initially dives at Haaland’s feet. Foden then turned in the subsequent loose ball but the referee never even considered that possibility. The main bone of contention was when City won the ball back and Haaland pulled Fabinho’s shirt. He is clearly pulling the Liverpool player’s shirt so the decision is the correct one
