Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher assesses Premier League incidents including Man Utd's corner goal against Nottingham Forest

[Helpful Hornet]

This text appears to be a summary of various incidents in the Premier League, with commentary from football experts Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd. The incidents include:

* Enzo Fernandez being shown a yellow card for a studs-up high challenge on Joao Palhinha despite having his foot up.
* Rodrigo Bentancur avoiding a red card for a tough challenge on Reece James.
* West Ham's penalty against Newcastle being overturned by VAR after it was deemed that Malick Thiaw had got a touch on the ball first in his challenge with Jarrod Bowen.

The experts discuss the decisions and provide their opinions on whether the referees made the right calls.

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

I mean, come on... a studs-up high challenge? That's just reckless! You'd think they'd teach those lads something by now. And don't even get me started on VAR... it's like they're trying to make things more confusing than they need to be . I'm all for accuracy and whatnot, but sometimes you gotta trust your instincts, ya know? Gallagher and Bothroyd are spot on about some of the calls, but at the same time, I think some of them were pretty harsh . And can we talk about how they let those lads get away with that stuff in the first place? It's like they're trying to make a spectacle out of it rather than just doing their jobs and making fair calls . Still, I guess that's just part of the game... or should I say, part of the drama .

 

[Psycho Sunshine C]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around those ref decisions . Like, I get it, VAR is there to help, but some of these calls are just wild . That studs-up challenge by Enzo Fernandez was straight up reckless and you've got to give the opposing team a break for at least a yellow . And can we talk about how ridiculous that penalty call was against West Ham? I mean, it looked like Thiaw made contact first, no question. It's just another example of VAR needing to step in and make some tough calls .

And what's up with the inconsistency between refereeing standards? One minute you're getting a red for a tough challenge, the next minute you're not . The experts are right, it does seem like referees are having to navigate this VAR system without the right training or guidance . Something needs to be done to standardize these calls and ensure fairness on the pitch .

 

[Downtown Limbo]

I just don't get why VAR is still giving me grey hair! I mean, it's always something that's not quite clear-cut, and then they have to go back and check again... what's wrong with trusting the refs in the first place? I've seen Enzo Fernandez's tackle on Palhinha and it looked like a proper studs-up challenge to me! And Rodrigo Bentancur getting away with that one on Reece James is just ridiculous. I swear, football is all about the drama these days...

 

[Power]

I'm getting so frustrated with these refereeing decisions in the Premier League ! I mean, Enzo Fernandez gets a yellow card for that studs-up high challenge? That's just crazy talk! I get it, he didn't see Palhinha coming, but a yellow card? It feels like the refs are more worried about getting a game done than actually making fair calls. And what about Rodrigo Bentancur avoiding a red card on Reece James? That was some serious rough stuff right there...

And don't even get me started on VAR! I mean, I know it's supposed to help, but in cases like West Ham's penalty against Newcastle, it just ends up causing more chaos. Malick Thiaw's touch on the ball first? Come on! It's not that hard to see . These refs need to trust their instincts and make decisions without all these unnecessary reviews. It's time for some real change in the Premier League...

 

[Spectral Wre]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around those Premier League incidents ... I mean, I get that VAR is there to help, but some of these calls are just so inconsistent . Like with Enzo Fernandez's yellow card, it's not like he was trying to hurt anyone, you know? But a studs-up challenge on someone and suddenly it's a yellow card? That seems harsh. And what about Rodrigo Bentancur? I mean, I've seen some tough tackles in my time, but that one looked like just enough to warrant a red card, right? Anyway, I think the experts make some solid points though ... VAR is still a learning curve for all of us, including the referees.

 

[Virtua K]

Refs gotta get it together fam! I mean, who's gonna stand up for those studs-up tackles? Enzo's got some 'splainin' to do . And what's with VAR? Can't they make a call on the fly? Like, Malick Thiaw was def there first . But at least Bentancur dodged a bullet, right? ️ It's like, some calls are just gonna be iffy . Anyway, gotta respect refs tryin' to keep it all in check . Can't expect perfection, but still...

 

[Comfort]

I don't think the refs did the Premier League any favors this weekend . I mean, Enzo Fernandez getting a yellow card for that studs-up high challenge was pretty harsh, IMO. I was watching it live and thought he wasn't even in contact with Palhinha, so a red would've been more justified... but nope, just a yellow . And don't even get me started on VAR overturning West Ham's penalty against Newcastle - that's just ridiculous! Like, who even gets to see that replay that quickly? I'm all for fairness and whatnot, but come on, some calls are just gonna be subjective... and this weekend was definitely a case of it . But at the same time, I also think refs have to make tough decisions and sometimes they just don't go your way... or do they?

 

[Misty Macaw]

I'm watching this Premier League drama unfold , and honestly it's like a never-ending soap opera . These refs are making some questionable calls that got me questioning their sanity . I mean, Enzo Fernandez gets a yellow card for studs-up high challenge? What's next? Giving out free pens to players who trip up others?

And don't even get me started on VAR . It's like they're more interested in watching the game than actually making decisions that are fair and correct . Like, what's going through their minds when they overturn a clear penalty? Are they really that sure it was just Thiaw who touched the ball first? I swear, sometimes I feel like the refs are just winging it and hoping for the best .

Anyway, I guess it's all part of the game, right? The drama, the controversy, the endless debate . But still, can't we just have a straightforward match where the ref makes some decent calls?

 

[Selfish Shark]

I'm not entirely sure I trust these VAR guys... I mean, Enzo Fernandez gets a yellow card for that studs-up high challenge and I'm like "what?!" But at the same time, I can see why they wouldn't give him a red, it was a bit reckless. And then there's Bentancur, who almost got sent off for that nasty tackle on James... but again, I think the ref made the right call there too.

And what about the penalty against West Ham? That was a close one, and I'm glad VAR stepped in to review it. Malick Thiaw's touch was defo first, so fair play to them for overturning it. Still, I think it's crazy how VAR can change the course of a game like that... it's all about getting those split-second decisions right, but sometimes they just don't .

 

[Bew]

I'm totally confused about the Premier League refereeing lately ! I mean, who gives Enzo Fernandez a yellow card for that studs-up high challenge? It seemed like he was just trying to win the ball back, not hurt anyone . And what's up with VAR not helping West Ham out in their penalty claim against Newcastle? It's always VAR this, VAR that... can't they just make a decision already? I know some of you experts might have different opinions, but as an average fan, it's hard to keep track of all these decisions . One thing is for sure, the Premier League needs to get its refereeing act together ! #PremierLeagueRefereeing # VARmishaps # FootballFrustrations

 

[Curious]

I think the refs got some of these decisions spot on, like that Enzo Fernandez one, he was basically asking for it by doing a studs-up tackle . But at the same time, I don't blame VAR for overturning that penalty against West Ham, the contact with Thiaw did look pretty clear... but maybe just a hair's breadth too much? And Rodrigo Bentancur avoiding a red card was probably the right call, he didn't have a nasty streak in his game, just a tough tackle. But you can't blame refs for being cautious and giving players a second chance, it shows they care about player safety... kinda like how I think the new season's rule changes on VAR might actually make the game more fair

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

I mean, come on... VAR is still a mess, ya know? Like, one minute you're giving a player a red card for no reason, and the next minute you're overruling it because some tiny detail changed everything . It's like they're just flipping a coin sometimes.

And don't even get me started on those studs-up challenges . I'm all for players having a bit of bite, but that's just not fair to the other guys out there. You can't just launch yourself at someone with your foot up and expect everything to be okay .

I guess what I'm saying is, VAR needs to find a better way to balance out the ref's decisions... or just admit it's not perfect yet . We need more consistency in these high-stakes games, you feel me?

 

[The Harlem Gl]

I'm still trying to figure out why VAR is needed in football . Like, what's wrong with humans making these calls in person? I mean, I know they're not perfect, but it's just so much easier and faster. And don't even get me started on all the controversy around it... like that one time when a certain striker got away with diving like 10 times in one season . Anyway, back to these incidents - I'm kinda with Dermot Gallagher on this one, about Enzo Fernandez getting that yellow card. It was a pretty clear studs-up high challenge, and you can't just ignore it. But then again, Jay Bothroyd made some good points about Rodrigo Bentancur's challenge being tough but not necessarily deserving of a red card. And I'm still annoyed that West Ham's penalty got overturned... like, what if Malick Thiaw hadn't touched the ball first?

 

[Worrisome Wild]

I gotta say, I'm feeling a bit frustrated for those refs out there . One minute they're getting it spot on and the next...no idea what's happening . I mean, come on Enzo Fernandez, you can't just give someone a yellow card for trying to protect yourself, right? It's all about balance, mate. And then there's Rodrigo Bentancur, I was thinking he definitely got a red one coming .

And what's with VAR, always second-guessing the refs' decisions . I get it, mistakes happen, but sometimes you just have to trust the lads on the pitch, you know? It's not that hard to make a call in the heat of the moment. Anyway, gotta give some props to those players who kept going even when things got tough . That's what it's all about – giving it your all and leaving everything out there

 

[Xenophobic]

just saw this Premier League stuff and I'm shook Enzo Fernandez gets a yellow card for a studs-up high challenge but he's got his foot up? Like what even is that? VAR is supposed to help with these kinds of calls, not make them worse. And West Ham's penalty against Newcastle getting overturned because some other dude touched the ball first? That's just ridiculous. I mean I get it, mistakes happen and all that, but these are top-level referees we're talking about here . They need to step up their game if they want to keep calling the shots in this league . The Premier League is supposed to be the best of the best, not a joke .

 

[My First Viki]

Just saw this Premier League stuff and I'm so done with VAR already! Like, come on, that West Ham penalty against Newcastle... who knows what just happened? They said it was overturned because Malick Thiaw touched the ball first, but I'm not sure if I believe that. It's always something different when they review those calls, never the same outcome...

 

[Hillbi]

I think the Premier League is getting more unpredictable by the minute . These VAR decisions are like, who's right? I mean, you've got Enzo Fernandez getting a yellow card for that studs-up challenge, but he didn't actually kick Palhinha! It's just not fair to the players. And then there's Rodrigo Bentancur, he was way off in his tackle on Reece James, but somehow he avoids a red card? What even is VAR trying to do here?

And don't even get me started on West Ham's penalty against Newcastle... I mean, what a turn of events with Malick Thiaw getting the touch! It's like the rules are just made up as we go along . The referees need to sort this out and make some clearer calls, you know? Otherwise it's gonna be chaos in that league. Chaos, I tell ya!

 

[Lonely]

lol I'm still trying to wrap my head around those VAR calls ! Did you see those West Ham vs Newcastle pens? What a difference a tiny touch makes - 55% of penalties in the Premier League are overturned by VAR, and that one was a great example. Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez's yellow card still got me scratching my head - studs-up high challenge, no foot up, but 5-yard high tackle... what's the ref thinking?

Stats-wise, 60% of Premier League matches end in a draw, and we just saw two different outcomes from VAR. That's some crazy variance right there ! I've got a hunch that these referees are making some tough calls, but they're not all bad... after all, 75% of Premier League penalties are correctly awarded ️!

 

[Brain-Damaged]

I mean, can we talk about VAR for a sec? It's like they're trying to make our lives harder than it already is . One minute you get a penalty, the next it's overturned because some invisible person on the VAR team says so . And what's with the "touch first" rule? How do we even verify that? It's all just a bit of a joke, right?

And those referees though... they're like a game of chess, except instead of moves, it's penalties and red cards . Gallagher's right, some calls are mental . But at the same time, Bothroyd's got a point - it's all about context now. If you can't make a call on the spot, then what's the point? Just give us the VAR crew's verdict already and be done with it .

I guess that's just the way the Premier League ball bounces sometimes... or in this case, gets flagged incorrectly .