Bolton Vs Fulham | Davies goal ruled out for push

Description of incident: Extremely late in the game, the ball was swung into the Fulham penalty area. Kevin Davies climbed above Hangeland to head what would surely have been the winning goal but the referee blew for a foul by Davies much to the shock of the Bolton players.

Date of Game: Saturday 6th February 2010

Home Team: Bolton Wanderers | Away Team: Fulham

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Robert Madley & Jeremy Simpson

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 2/5

Affect on Result: Clearly denied Bolton victory | Winner: Fulham | Loser: Bolton Wanderers

Players Involved: Kevin Davies (Bolton) & Brede Hangeland (Fulham)

Summary: I struggled to see what the referee had blown for on first viewing. Video replays did show that Kevin Davies had a forearm in Hangeland's back however, I don't think the contact was enough to warrant a free kick. Roy Hodgson disagreed, but I expect he is only saying that as he is Fulham boss. If Davies' challenge is a foul then it's a sad day for football as it means strength is gradually being phased out of the modern game. Wrong decision for me, the goal should have stood.



Cheers,
WB

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Hull City Vs Chelsea | Drogba goal given despite protests

Description of incident: Chelsea were given a free kick on the edge of the Hull City penalty area. During the lining up of the wall & free kick, the Hull players were clearly communicating with Mark Clattenburg. Stephen Hunt approached him to discuss something and, shortly after he retreated, the ref blew his whistle; Drogba duly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner. There were strong complaints from Hull, involving Myhill running outside his box to speak to the ref. It later transpired that the Hull players had believed it may have been an indirect free kick, which they were trying to ascertain from Clattenburg prior to the kick being taken. Their complaint was that this message hadn't reached Myhill by the time the kick was taken. It was all too late and the goal had been given.

Date of Game: Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Home Team: Hull City | Away Team: Chelsea

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Darren Cann & Scott Ledger

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 1/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Chelsea | Loser: Hull City

Players Involved: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Boaz Myhill & Stephen Hunt (Hull City)

Summary: The complaint from Hull's players is absolutely ridiculous. If it had have been an indirect free kick, the referee would have had his arm raised. He didn't therefore it is a direct free kick. This is basic football; they have every right to clarify this verbally with the referee but he does not have to wait until they have passed this news around every member of the team before allowing the kick to be taken. Phil Brown got it right when asked about this post match when he said regardless of anything else, their defending was awful and this is what allowed the goal. Right decision, goal given.

Full match highlights from

Hull City v Chelsea
by eldoronaldo

Cheers,
WB

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Hull City Vs Chelsea | Fagan blocking Cech from corners

Description of incident: Fagan's job from Hull's corners was to make it difficult for the 'keeper to claim the cross. As this particular corner was swung into the box, Fagan was jostling with a Chelsea defender inside the six yard box, right in front of Cech. This meant he stayed on his line and Mouyokolo rose to head the ball over Cech's reach and into the net. The ref allowed the goal to stand.

Date of Game: Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Home Team: Hull City | Away Team: Chelsea

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Darren Cann & Scott Ledger

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 2/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Hull City | Loser: Chelsea

Players Involved: Craig Fagan, Steven Mouyokolo (Hull City) & Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Summary: Fagan's challenge from corners had already been drawn to the referee's attention earlier in the game, so he should have had an eye on him this time. Fagan actually does nothing other than spread himself and hold his position; it just happens to be the area in which Cech needs to run to claim the ball. The Chelsea defender does his best to move Fagan legally but does not succeed. There are no offenses during this passage so it was the right decision, goal given.

Full match highlights from

Hull City v Chelsea
by eldoronaldo

Cheers,
WB

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Manchester City Vs Porstmouth | Kompany challenges Ben-Haim to score

Description of incident: Kompany and Ben-Haim both raced to meet the Manchester City cross, staying exmtremely close together throughout. Kompany reached the ball first to head it into the back of the net and the referee gave the goal despite Ben-Haim's protestation.

Date of Game: Sunday 31st January 2010

Home Team: Manchester City | Away Team: Portsmouth

Referee: Martin Atkinson | Linesman: David Richardson & Stuart Burt

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 1/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Manchester City | Loser: Portsmouth

Players Involved: Vincent Kompany (Man City) & Tal Ben-Haim (Portsmouth)

Summary: I didn't really feel this decision warranted entry for review however, Ben-Haim protested wholeheartedly so I felt I had to include it. This was a good, old-fashioned jostle and, if anything, Ben-Haim was the offender as he clearly had a fistful of Kompany's shirt. Kompany probably did respond with a lean on him in return but I did not feel this constituted a foul. At worst it was a penalty to City but I think allowing the goal was quite clearly the right decision.

View full match highlights

Cheers,
WB

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Porstmouth Vs West Ham | Boateng elbow on Tomkins

Description of incident: In the build up to Portsmouth's equaliser, Boateng beat James Tomkins to the ball but in the process sent Tomkins to the ground clutching his head. The ref waved play on and allowed Portsmouth to score.

Date of Game: Tuesday 26th January 2010

Home Team: Portsmouth | Away Team: West Ham

Referee: Andre Marriner | Linesman: Darren Cann & Mike Mullarkey

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 5/5

Affect on Result: N/A | Winner: Porstmouth | Loser: West Ham

Players Involved: Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth) & James Tomkins (West Ham)

Summary: Zola was incensed that the free kick was not given for an elbow by Boateng on Tomkins. Unfortunately, I've only seen one camera angle of it and it wasn't that great. Based on the evidence I've seen, this was not a foul, Boateng only had eyes for the ball. The ref got it right.

Cheers,
WB

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Blackburn Rovers Vs Wigan Athletic | Caldwell foul on Chimbonda for goal

Description of incident: As Wigan swung a corner into the Blackburn penalty area, both Chimbonda and Caldwell ran towards the near post. The ball bounced towards them as they challenged each other. Caldwell won, the ball was headed into the net and the ref gave the goal.

Date of Game: Wednesday 27th January 2010

Home Team: Blackburn Rovers | Away Team: Wigan Athletic

Referee: Lee Mason | Linesman: Andy Madley & Richard West

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 3/5

Affect on Result: None, Blackburn won eventually | Winner: Wigan Athletic | Loser: Blackburn Rovers

Players Involved: Gary Caldwell (Wigan) & Pascal Chimbonda (Blackburn)

Summary: For me, Caldwell was all over the back of Chimbonda. Too be honest, I do question Chimbonda's desire to win that header however, Caldwell had to smother him in order to reach the low bouncing ball. The ref got it wrong, the goal shouldn't have stood.

Cheers,
WB

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Aston Villa Vs Arsenal | Campbell foul on Dunne

Description of incident: This was a quite remarkable incident only for the fact that Richard Dunne went on a truly amazing, pitch length run with the ball. As he took on the last man Campbell, just outside the Arsenal penalty area, the players came together and both fell to the floor. The ref was right on the spot and judged no foul.

Date of Game: Wednesday 27th January 2010

Home Team: Aston Villa | Away Team: Arsenal

Referee: Lee Probert | Linesman: Andy Newbold & Gary Stott

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 3/5

Affect on Result: It could have meant a red card for Campbell but it would have needed a great free kick to score what would have surely been the winner so late in the game | Winner: Arsenal | Loser: Aston Villa

Players Involved: Sol Campbell (Arsenal) & Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)

Summary: Dunne's run was spectacular and as he passed Campbell, the Arsenal defender placed an arm on his shoulder. This in itself would have been enough to class as a foul but Dunne stayed on his feet only for Campbell's legs to tangle with his and finally bring them both crashing to the floor. The ref got this one wrong, it should have been a free kick to Villa and potentially a red card for Campbell. Though personally I would have classed that as harsh. Mainly because I don't think Richard Dunne in that position could ever be classed as a "goal scoring opportunity" ;)

Cheers,
WB

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Arsenal Vs Bolton | Gallas foul in build up to Fabregas goal

Description of incident: The move that led to Arsenal's second goal, scored by Fabregas, started with a Gallas tackle on Davies. The ref was only yards away from the tackle and allowed play to continue.

Date of Game: Wednesday 20th January 2010

Home Team: Arsenal | Away Team: Bolton Wanderers

Referee: Mark Clattenburg | Linesman: Mick McDonough & John Flynn

Decision Type: Free kick | Verdict: | Decision Difficulty: 2/5

Affect on Result: I have the feeling Arsenal would have come back anyway but this made sure | Winner: Arsenal | Loser: Bolton

Players Involved: William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) & Mark Davies (Bolton)

Summary: The only positive I can provide from the referee's point of view is that his position was fantastic. But that just makes it all the more shocking that he managed to miss this foul. Not only was it a foul, it ended Davies' participation in the game. I'm not saying there was any intention to hurt Davies by Gallas but it was a stomping challenge with his studs landing on Davies' ankle. Wrong decision, free kick missed.

Cheers,
WB

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