Not seem match of the day yet but there was an incident that resulted in a foul on DL just in front of the west stand, i think by either Davies or Livermore. There was a mini scuffle and DL stuck his head forward at one of our lads, not making contact but a clear head but gesture. Clattenburg was right alongside and you could see his hand go straight to his back pocket fir the red card until he got bumped around by a couple of Chelsea players who I think saw that DL was about to get a red. Rather than following through with his decision Clatt stopped and engaged with them and no punisemt was made. Sagbo got a straight red for the same against Norwich. Clatt had an ok first half and them let Chelsea ref the rest of the game for him. I think DL should have walked for what I saw and once again the weakness of pl refs allowing the big teams to ale decisions for them is all too real and can lead to game changing decisions one way or the other. That said we did well and Zhazards goal was a good one, how Tirres was given time to receive and turn on goal so easily was disappointing though. 3 points each please at Norwich and Palace. We are just 5 from the bottom 3 before today's games. UTT
Yeah not sure we can complain about Clatt, one of the first refs we've had not to be intimidated by the big clubs. If there was the odd contentious moment that didn't go our way then oh well, that happens! We can't go round blaming the ref each and every game, I don't want us to be that sort of club.
Would agree on the whole. Good first had but he did start getting sucked in in the second half. One of the better though and as you can tell I do think he should have stuck to his guns and red carded Pot noodle head.
It was just the **** of a linesman on the East Side who kept receiving his instructions from Mourinho in his earpiece.
What the sodding hell happened with Ashley cole and Sagbo in the first half? From the angle I saw it it looked a very cynical assault to stop Sagbo charging down the defence. I was in a direct line with both from behind so couldn't see what happened really just that both went to ground.
Clattenburg wasn't the worst ref by far, but I thought his decisions (especially in the second half) were very inconsistent. He seemed to give Chelsea a freekick for very soft reasons, even giving a couple when it looked like we'd clearly won the ball. For us to get a freekick, it seemed like it had to be something really obvious for him to give it. As for that linesman, I'm certain they just picked up a random bloke in McDonald's on the way to the game.
Totally agree regarding the linesman, there was one incident when torres made a run and was about 5 yards offside, i looked for the lino and he was about 10 yards behind play. I know he's got little legs but that was ridiculous.
Thought Clattenburg had his usual solid game. I didn't see the David Luiz "head butting" incident mentioned but Clatt generally takes no nonsense and I would think it would certainly have been a red if he'd seen it that way. We were lucky we didn't get Mike Jones, abysmal at Newcastle again today, or Atkinson.
The one where Sagbo stayed on the floor for ages? That one was a good tackle by Cole and Sagbo just went into his weird French mode like he does now and then and decided to stay on the floor for ages with one hand over his face but God knows what he thought he was achieving by getting the ball eventually kicked out. He then got up instantly as soon as Terry kicked it out and didn't even get the physio on, which most players in that position do even if it's just to make it look more convincing. I really don't get players like him. That decision where Bruce tackled someone while already on the floor and they got a free kick from which Luiz forced a save from McGregor was ridiculous. It seemed as though Clattenburg accidentally blew his whistle and then had to give the free kick to justify it. He stood there for ages not gesturing either way with everyone just staring at him and not even sure whether to carry on playing or not, before he eventually gave the free kick.
Didn't realise that. He seemed to be playing it with both legs on the floor. It was stuck between his legs at one point. I'm guessing the handball was before or after whenever I'm thinking.
He went down then brought his arm round to stop the ball running away. Clear deliberate handball. Clattenberg singalled as handball with a smile on his face when it was queried as it was so obvious.
Are we on about the same incident? I'm not saying you're wrong but I saw the replay (just the once mind) and it didn't seem like his arms were anywhere near it?
The linesman stood in front of me was an imbo. He was miles off the pace for an offside which lead to a corner for them and seemed a bit clueless. Ringer. (West stand south side)
Maybe not. It was first half, just outside our area towards the west stand. Not sure it was on the highlights.
