Ref Watch: Why was Man Utd's Diogo Dalot sent off for dissent but not Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez?
Plus: Chaos between Brentford and Aston Villa as Ben Mee and Boubacar Kamara both sent off; Yves Bissouma also sent off for Tottenham at Nottingham Forest; Vladimir Coufal escaped a red card against Wolves; Raul Jimenez also shown red card during Fulham's trip to Newcastle
Tuesday 19 December 2023 07:55, UK
Dermot Gallagher explains why Diogo Dalot was sent off for dissent in Man Utd's goalless draw with Liverpool, but not Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
INCIDENT: Diogo Dalot was shown two yellow cards in stoppage time, one after the other and both for dissent. His reaction is because the throw in is given the wrong way. Were the two bookings a bit harsh?
DERMOT SAYS: "The throw is not clearly given the wrong way. It is a United throw when you look at it again but when I first saw it I wasn't convinced.
"You can't act like Dalot did. It doesn't look good and isn't a good image to be portraying around the world.
"Whether you like it or not, that is the remit referees have been given this season. That is why there is such a high number of yellow cards for this type of offence."
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INCIDENT: In the first half at Anfield, Darwin Nunez was booked for a challenge on Jonny Evans. He complained about the decision and seemed to sarcastically clap the assistant referee for getting him booked.
So should this not have been two yellow cards as well?
Mohamed Salah was also seen waving an imaginary card towards the referee, but was not booked.
DERMOT SAYS: "It's so so difficult because this is not an exact science.
"On the one hand, you say to me I don't want two yellow cards for Dalot, but two minutes later you say you want a yellow for Salah and three for Nunez.
"I have nowhere to go. Whichever way I jump, you will say I'm wrong.
"In the current climate the referee has no choice. I get that United fans will call for Nunez to be sent off but the referee didn't choose to do it."
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Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa
INCIDENT: There was a red card for Brentford defender Ben Mee in their game against Aston Villa. Referee David Coote was very close to the incident and only showed a yellow card, but was recommended to have another look. It was then upgraded to a red card.
DERMOT SAYS: "I think the referee got this one right.
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"We've seen a number of these tackles over the last few weeks. Whether they've been given on the field or by the VAR, they've been very consistent.
"The player is reaching for the ball and catching the opposition player on the shin with his studs. It's inevitable it is a red card."
INCIDENT: There was also a late red card for Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara. It came after a melee which started between Neal Maupay and Emiliano Martinez.
DERMOT SAYS: "It is pantomime season!
"I felt a little bit for Kamara. You cannot do what he did in the end but he started as the peacemaker. He tries to calm everybody down.
"But it is the hand in the face and it boils over too far. John McGinn even tells him he shouldn't have done that. It all escalated very quickly to a red card that didn't need to happen."
West Ham 3-0 Wolves
INCIDENT: West Ham's Vladimir Coufal was called a 'lucky boy' by Super Sunday pundits Daniel Sturridge and Roy Keane for an elbow on Wolves' Jeanricner Bellegarde. He did not receive a booking for the incident.
DERMOT SAYS: "It has to be more than a free-kick, which is what the referee gave. How far he wants to go would be up to him but he has to sanction the player for that challenge.
"VAR did have a look but said it wasn't enough for a red card."
Newcastle 3-0 Fulham
INCIDENT: Referee Sam Barrott originally gave Raul Jimenez a yellow for a high challenge on Sean Longstaff. He caught the Newcastle midfielder in the face while jumping through the area. The referee was asked to have another look by VAR and it ended up being a red card.
DERMOT SAYS: "He was airborne and out of control. He pulls his foot away, I get that, but he can't stop. It's a red card."
