Pelle looked sharp too, although judging form brief highlights is not good. I liked his movement for the headed goal. Anyone say how his general play was yesterday?
General play - good mostly. Gave the ball away a few times and also had some air shots but much better from him. Every player in midfield and attack played well but gave the ball away easily as well though.
Martina really out of position for the Stoke goal. Then the same again for the Diouf chance. Watching the Tadic moment again, in slow mo doesn't do him any favours! Why did Mason not book Tadic for diving?
No, Benny taught us last week, if there's contact its a pen, no grey area anymore, all of them need to be given. Cocked that up already haven't you ref.
Have to say the Tadic incident looked like leaving a trailing leg and diving. If the opposition had gotten a penalty against us in that manner, there would be outrage on the thread.
The gk comes sliding out, misses the ball and hits Tadic. Butland looks absolutely shocked it is no pen. His reaction I telling.
The ref must have thought that Butland cleared the ball and then took Tadic out. Wrong of course, but would explain why he didn't book Tadic....he knew he hadn't dived. However, the ball was still in play and Tadic could have got to it (if Butland hadn't taken him out). And then he would have had a clear chance at goal....that he could have fluffed up
I think Tadic did leave a leg, and did make a meal of that. In the modern game (played by big girl's blouses) it's still a oen, but I can see why it wasn't given. The red card was possibly the worst refereeing decision I can ever remember seeing. What was he thinking of?
I don't see him leaving a leg out, it all happened so quickly he wouldn't have even had time to think to do that deliberately.