Beefymcfc wrote:dazby wrote:Credit where it's due. The ref had a great game and could so easily have been sucked into giving a penalty for the Gayle dive.
Honestly, the difference between last year and this is so stark. It's wonderful to not be whingeing about their decisions every game. Touch wood.
I asked this last night in the match thread and the reason why was that Shearer on 5Live said that Murphy's challenge on Gundogan was a clear red and couldn't believe the officials missed it. Also, when Otamendi stopped a shot on the line, apparently a player went straight through him whilst in the air, putting Otter in the back of the net.
Not seen any footage yet but the commentary team were fairly scathing of the officials for those incidents. I take it they were just ordinary tackles that they took exception to?
The one on Otamendi should've been a free out but they're very rarely given, it's like when someone shoots and they're cleaned out by a defender trying to block their shot, despite the fact that they've clearly been fouled referees in general are reluctant to give them anything.
The one on Gundogan was nasty, it looks like Marriner was unsighted, that's not an excuse however, it's part of his job to ensure he doesn't get unsighted. Interesting to hear if anything more will come of that one.
In general I thought he was OK, if anything he was leaning more in our favour in terms of 50/50s throughout.