I think the main thing that is lacking from referees is consistency. The ref last night was terrible and gave some crazy decisions for both teams.
The number of times Fellaini was jumping for the ball fairly, or getting fouled in the process and getting free-kicks given against him was laughable, and then the ref gives a free kick in his favour in the second half and it wasn't even a foul.
In the first half, the ball was played out to Pienaar, Sagna jumps all over him because he completely misjudged the flight of the ball and Pienaar stands his ground to try and turn him. Free-kick against Pienaar. Bizarre.
And the penalty, yes they were both tussling for it but Arteta slid in, got nothing of the ball but dragged Pienaar down with him. It was either a penalty or a goal kick. The referee gives a corner.
I'd also like to see the tackle Gibson got booked for again, from where I was sat it looked a bloody brilliant tackle.
Is this available anywhere? I watched MOTD, but there was nothing made of it, not even shown.
Other one was when Arteta balatently blocked Pienaar, by cutting off his run, and Pienaar conceded the foul for running into the back of him. Defies logic and belief. Justabout every media outlet has said it was a stonewall penalty, and it's not the first time this month, never mind this season. We just get up and get on with it, whereas other managers whinge, and things turn around for them. Niel Mellor on Merseyside last night, after commentating on the RS v Spurs was saying how it was criminal that they never got a Penalty against Spurs, how it seems as though they wont get one all season, blah blah blah. We've been in that exact same position, got a pen on the last day. Looking back, it was NEVER a penalty, but its the whinging that will be remembered, not even the actual incident. Regardless of whether they should of had one that night, they WILL get one in the future cause they have pointed it out.
I just wish
Moyes would bring it to the attention of the media, not moan, just in a kind of, "oh, by the way".