Just to further denigrate the officials, we could well have had another penalty in the second half. The ball came across the box and took a glancing blow off a Sunderland arm which was at a 45 degree angle to the body . Again, I was looking straight at it and the lino must have had a view too. None of the Argyle players can have seen it as there was no appeal. The lino had a clear view but didn't use his his flag as he should have done to indicate a corner. It was the ref that gave the corner rom the far side of the box through a ruck of players. That's not how it's supposed to work is it? As far as I'm aware, without that touch, it would have been a goal kick not a corner. Now fair enough, I don't think it SHOULD have been a penalty because I think the rule is wrong... it should be hand to ball as it used to be. But according to the rules as they ARE, there was a case to answer.
I watched various bits of the game coverage on ArgyleTV. Wayne Rooney couldn’t watch the penalty. He turned the other way and waited for the crowd to go up. Jus saying’ He cares.
I said it in my summary notdistant that the lino was pathetic all game. They normally are but get some redemption when they at least flag something right. This guy didn't get anything right all match in either first or second half. As you know I sit right opposite the penalty area at the Devonpirt end. I had a great view as well and immediately said it wasn't a penalty. The others opinion was Mumba gave the Ref a decision to make by reaching out. You could see though that the contact was so very small. On the replay I watched over and over it is much more obvious that it was the merest of touches if you could even call it a touch in the first place. I have read a few posts on the Sunderland board about Edwards not being booked for the melee. One even sugested he assaulted their man over and over. From where I sit and it isn't that far away Edwards got fouled and the dball went out of play. He got up and their man threw him to the ground when Edwards simply had his arms in the air. Another one of their players then ran in and I really thought I saw a punch thrown. The botom line being that if Edwards gets booked there then he is sent off later and doesn't score the winner. Ergo Sunderland were robbed by the weak Ref. You have to laugh sometimes at the way football fans see things. They were lucky there that their guy wasn't red carded for violent conduct off the ball. Not to mention the second chap who thought it good to join in. But, no matter what is said we won and we deserved to. I'll just settle for that now.
p.s. to that. I couldn't watch the penalty either and looked at my boots whilst still sat. I waited for the cheer to go up along with the person sat next to me who was exactly the same.
An ex-referee speaks........ https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/plymouth-argyle-sunderland-foy-penalty-9560475
