I have been surprised by the lack of attention to the Carroll 'headed' clearance off the line in the first half yesterday. I was sat in block A of the Dolman and can categorically say he definitely handled that ball first! I'm absolutely sure of it! It was my first instinct when I saw it and shouted for it.. the linesman was right there too. Was there a camera in that end of the Atyeo? would have liked to see it from that angle ?
On replays it looked to me that Adrian tipped it onto his head. I thought Carroll hand balled it when he got past Williams to cross over for the goal.
Nope, it was a great defensive header especially after the keeper got a touch, move on , nothing to see here
Nope, it was a great defensive header especially after the keeper got a touch, move on , nothing to see here
Never a penalty. My view on these incidents is would you be happy if they were given against us?? For me the answer is a resounding NO
thought the goal was good, but I would question how sakho was even playing-thought he was meant to be in Africa for the nations cup?
Phil Neville on MOD 2 and the BBC VT expert 'upstairs' said the ball definitely hit Carroll's hand before he headed it. However, it's understandable why the officials didn't see it. Sometimes it goes for you, let's have our luck at MK Dons and here against Swindon.
No problem with the headed clearance but my observation - and that's all it is - is that MOM Winston Reid had a handful of Matt Smiths shirt throughout the immediate build-up to, and including, the header that brought the clearance off the line. I know we've discussed this fully on previous occasions, but it's obviously now part of the FA rule-book!!
Its immaterial now, but I did wonder if there was a handball- Having seen the replay of it numerous times, there is no way that there was any intent to handle it- Carroll made a determined and an excellent effort to clear it with his head. Compare that to the Suarez handball in the world cup, they are miles apart. If it was handball, not only would we have had a penalty, but Carroll would have had to been dismissed and there was in my opinion, no other explanation but a very frustrating and excellent clearance. In fact had Smith made a similar clearance as a centre forward, we would be shouting his praises. In real time, I thought Nobles clearance looked more like handball initially and wondered if it had crossed the line. That one too turned out to be a vital and good clearance for them.
He was right for once, I know what I saw. he put his hand up there, the Ball hit it and then diverted to his head and he headed it away! It was a penalty, he intended to do it, he knows that and I know that.!
