Yet there was enough reaction time to continue to extend his leg...an un-natural movement in what he was intending to do. He was bringing the ball down yes?, extending your foot is not preparing to cushion the ball down is it. As for split second, my first reaction in real time was 'he could be off here', and since, in real time and even more in slo-mo, I can't tell you why, I just saw that little kick-out straight away.
Inter had to play against Barca at the Nou Camp with 10 men for an hour, Chelsea just a little less than that, both sides progressed because they got their heads together after the red and dug in. Not the refs fault Evra went AWOL for both goals, awful defender IMO. The real reason United lost is because the red mist descended onto Fergie and instead of readying Jonny Evans and/or Valencia immediately he proceeded to charge down to the 4th official as per and rant and rave. In the end by the time he made the subs, the tie was well and truly lost
Have to agree with Smithy and Spurm about Mourinho's actions and comments at the end of the game. He was sensible enough to cover his mouth when offering his condolences to Ferguson at the sending off, but he seemed far too apologetic to me. Notso's definitely right about Nani doing himself no favours by feigning injury, even if I disagree with him about the red card. If he'd have immediately apologised to Arbeloa, who I'm sure brought a smile or two to fans of his last club, then I don't think he'd have gone. His decision to go down and roll about made him look guilty.
Has anyone seen Joe Cole humiliating himself in the papers today? He's claiming that he didn't join Spurs (thankfully) when Redknapp went in for him, as he would've felt like a mercenary signing for a club that's rivals with West Ham and Chelsea. Leaving aside the fact that he joined Liverpool for 50% more money, can anyone else see the really obvious problem with that statement?
Nah he hates the Spurs like all West Ham and Chelsea mugs It was hilarious watching him go mental when they took the lead only to still lose.
Interesting to see these suggestions about Mourinho's comments. hmmmm... you guys may well be right. What would chelsea fans do? They are all banking on him coming back to manage them!
I'll ignore last night's ref being implicated in the Turkish match-fixing scandal for a minute and just put this out there: please log in to view this image I can't really remember whether these were appropriate reds or not. Anyone enlighten me?
Cahill and Terry were debatable. I'd agree Terry was a red but Cahill was harsh. Gerrard deserved. Nani 50/50 but harsh. Ballotelli wasn't a red in a million years.
Hardly perhaps, DL? As Blue and White has pointed out, I was suggesting that there's no love lost between yourselves and West Ham, actually. Not your rivals exactly, but then they're not ours, either.
The trouble with rules are they can be interpreted differently by everyone as we can see from all the differing opinions on these boards this morning. A ref can only make a decision in a split second (or a little longer in last nights case) So did you feel it was a yellow or red ? I've watched a lot of Ice hockey over the years and although the sin bin idea works well for that sport I don't think it would work in football. Although perhaps Fergie could have done with time in there to cool off after his rant.
Today, correct...for now anyway!, back then, even if 'you' disagree, they would still have seen themselves as rivals, he moved in 2010...it was supposed to be 'their year' don't forget!
I have to,agree with Roo. I've seen it at least a dozen times. Nani has his eye on the ball. By the time Arbeloa comes into view, it's too late to do anything. I still strongly feel that it's a very poor decision.
West Ham are just a confused club, their in a different league to Millwall but pine for us and yourselves.
