Chris Smalling

[Swarbs]

Whilst I thought it was an idiotic thing to do and I said to my boy at the time that he'd end up getting sent off, you make a valid point. A friend of mine had a trawl through the FA rule book and the only reason Smalling could have been booked was for ungentlemanly conduct. The act of trying to block a keeper from kicking the ball out of his hands is not against the rules. Then again, the ref had a stinker (he always does that one) and should have awarded City at least two penalties.

Not entirely true.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelopment/refereeing/81/42/36/log2013en_neutral.pdf
Page 121
"A player must be penalised for playing in a dangerous manner if he kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it"
"• If a player plays in a dangerous manner in a “normal” challenge, the referee should not take any disciplinary action. If the action is made with obvious risk of injury, the referee should caution the player"

So it was a foul, and indirect free kick, but only a booking if the ref believed Hart was likely to break his foot kicking Smalling up the arse. So not a booking in other words.

Tbh the biggest scandal of the whole thing was that Hart wasn't sent off for charging across the pitch and pushing his head into the ref's face.

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Fair to say that if any Utd player had done that there would have been calls for a ten match ban.

 

[UnitedinRed]

Was brilliant yesterday.

 

[weararedbonnet]

Was brilliant yesterday.

He grafted yesterday, as did McNair & Blackett. Rode their luck at times, but as the match progressed, confidence grew. De gea was magnificent, and must give credit to Carrick too.

 

[Treble]

What I liked was how vocal he was. Clearly seeing himself as the senior player in that back 3 he was barking orders and pointing Blackett and McNair to cover areas. We need that every game.

BTW McNair has made 4 starts for United. United have won all 4 games.