Ref Watch: Marcos Rojo deserved red card, says Dermot Gallagher
Last Updated: 15/12/16 1:18pm
Ref Watch is back to debate another selection of controversial decisions from the midweek round of Premier League matches.
Former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher has been in the Sky Sports News HQ studio to analyse a number of contentious calls from mid-week Premier League games.
From dubious penalty decisions and unpunished horror tackles to controversial goals, we have it all covered...
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United, Premier League, Wednesday
INCIDENT: Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo went in for a two-foot challenge on Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
SCENARIO: Referee Craig Pawson awarded Palace a free-kick and booked Rojo, but the nature of the challenge could have easily seen the Argentine pick up a red card.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It is a red card, there's no doubt about it. Zaha has done him a massive favour because he has seen him coming but got out of the way of it. That's all the referee could have thought, that he hasn't made contact, but that doesn't excuse what he's done. You don't have to have two broken legs for it to be a red card.
[The referee] has recognised it wrong, he's not read it as it should be. If he sees that again, which he will do, he'll be really disappointed.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United, Premier League, Wednesday
INCIDENT: Manchester United score the opening goal against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in controversial circumstances as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba combine, with the latter finding the back of the net.
SCENARIO: The replays suggested that Ibrahimovic handled Juan Mata's free-kick in his assist for Pogba, and the Frenchman was in an offside position as he converted. Regardless, the goal was not ruled out.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It does look like handball, there's no doubt about that. I think Pogba is offside but in defence of the assistant it's a very tough call for him because it isn't clear cut.
What I would say is if the referee had given handball there I dont think anyone would be complaining. It happened so fast, it's very easy when we look at still pictures and say: "he's half a body offside". But he is just offside.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United, Premier League, Wednesday
INCIDENT: Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to throw an elbow into the face of Yohan Cabaye during the second half at Selhurst Park.
SCENARIO: Referee Craig Pawson missed the incident, allowed play to go on and Ibrahimovic was unpunished and later went on to score the winning goal.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: It's one for the FA to look at, which they have the option to do. What I would say is with so many cameras at football grounds I don't know why people take a chance like that.
I think if the referee sees that, which he doesn't, [the player] will get a red card.
Everton 2-1 Arsenal, Premier League, Tuesday
INCIDENT: Arsenal were not given a late penalty in their defeat at Everton after Alexis Sanchez went down in the box under a challenge by Kevin Mirallas.
SCENARIO: The Everton midfielder appeared to trip the Chilean as Arsenal pushed for an equaliser at Goodison Park, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved away their protests and the Toffees went on to win the game.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Incorrect decision
DERMOT SAYS: I think it was [a penalty] because [Mirallas] didn't see Sanchez coming. He goes to kick the ball and Sanchez has nicked it away. Mirallas is unlucky, but the clue there is the ball has gone forward, so it's obvious Sanchez has won the ball and not Mirallas.
Stoke 0-0 Southampton, Premier League, Wednesday
INCIDENT: Stoke midfielder Marko Arnautovic was dismissed for a first-half challenge on Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal.
SCENARIO: The Austrian appeared to go in high with his boot and, despite not making too much contact and Stoke protesting, he was shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision
DERMOT SAYS: I think the pictures speak for themselves, it's a red card. It's a high leg, some say it's harsh but it is fair. You can't tackle knee high with your studs showing.
What I would say is it was well identified by the referee.