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Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher reviews the weekend decisions

Dermot Gallagher discusses the weekend's big calls with Rob Wotton
Image: Dermot Gallagher discusses the weekend's big calls with Rob Wotton

It was a weekend of controversial calls in English football, from debatable penalty claims to one goal which could have been disallowed and another which wasn't given when it should have been.

West Brom and Crystal Palace were both denied spot kicks which might have given them better results against Southampton and Manchester City but should they have had them?

Liverpool's Christian Benteke also scored an early goal of the season contender but is there a case for it to have been chalked off?

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher joined Rob Wotton in the Sky Sports News HQ studio to look back over some of the biggest talking points.

INCIDENT: Matt Targett (Southampton) tackle on Callum McManaman (WBA), no penalty given

Southampton's Matt targett tackles West Brom's Callum McManaman
Image: Southampton's Matt targett tackles West Brom's Callum McManaman

THE SCENARIO: A pass is played between two Southampton players down the right flank and McManaman gives chase, taking a touch to move the ball into the penalty box. One of the two players passed - Targett - recovers to slide in on McManaman, swinging his left foot to make a tackle. McManaman falls on his front to the ground and the ball runs over the goal line. Referee Stuart Attwell does not give a penalty and but does not caution McManaman for simulation.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Correct decision.

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GALLAGHER SAYS: It was the right call in the end. I must admit I watched this game live on Saturday and my gut reaction was it was a penalty. I saw a replay and I still thought it was a penalty. My immediate reaction was it was a penalty and I thought that straight away. The referee has said no and even with the view he had, I thought it was a penalty but looking at it again with a replay from behind the goal, it wasn't. A penalty was given at Old Trafford where Herrera was tackled similarly and he waited for contact to be made. Here, McManaman has seen it coming and has gone over with his arms and that's what Stuart has seen. It's not a penalty because he decided to get out of the way quicker and contact hasn't been made. All credit to Stuart.

INCIDENT: Fernandino (Man City) tackle on Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), no penalty given

Yohan Cabaye falls under Fernandinho's challenge
Image: Yohan Cabaye falls under Fernandinho's challenge

THE SCENARIO: In a congested six-yard box, Cabaye steps away from Vincent Kompany's tackle to move forward towards the goal line. The ball gets caught under Cabaye and Fernandinho makes a tackle on him with his right foot, connecting only with the Frenchman's right foot. Cabaye falls and the loose ball is passed out of defence by Gael Clichy to Kompany then on to Samir Nasri. Referee Mike Jones allows play to continue without giving a penalty to Palace.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: I think this one should have been a penalty. Fernandinho has fouled Cabaye and he's tackled his wrong foot. What happens is because it is so congested, the referee sees Clichy play the ball away and I think he thinks he has played the ball and he's missed the foul. I don't know why the assistant referee hasn't flagged. He might have been too far away and should be on the spot because he has a perfect view but there are a lot of players there and I think the referee has been deceived by the player behind playing the ball. The assistant referee may have seen the same but it should have been a penalty.

INCIDENT: Christian Benteke (Liverpool) goal against Manchester United, goal awarded

Christian Benteke's goal (left) stood but Cameron Jerome's (right) didn't
Image: Christian Benteke's goal (left) stood but Cameron Jerome's (right) didn't

THE SCENARIO: Jordon Ibe's cross from the right is nodded up in the air by Daley Blind. The ball drops to Benteke, who performs an acrobatic overhead scissor kick under pressure from Ander Herrera and scores beyond David de Gea. The goal is very similar to an effort Norwich striker Cameron Jerome had disallowed for high feet on the opening day of the season against Crystal Palace. However, referee Michael Oliver allows Benteke's strike to stand.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Correct decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: For me, this is definitely the right decision. You'll say you want consistency and if you have that, Benteke's goal would have been disallowed. What I want is people saying they looked at Jerome's goal on the opening day, agreeing it should have been allowed and moving forward. I respect the referee for making the correct decision on Saturday. The two goals are very similar but it was the correct outcome at the weekend.

INCIDENT: Valon Behrami (Watford) tackle on Andrew Ayew (Swansea), red card issued

Valon Behrami (second left) saw red for his challenge on Andre Ayew (bottom centre)
Image: Valon Behrami (second left) saw red for his challenge on Andre Ayew (bottom centre)

THE SCENARIO: Jose Jurado plays the ball past Andrew Ayew but does not find a team-mate with the pass. Ayew and Behrami both go for the loose ball and Behrami leads with his left foot, going into over the top and landing on outside of Ayew's left knee studs first. The former Marseille player stays down and is in clear discomfort, with Behrami also falling over with apparent ankle pain. Referee Bobby Madley shows Behrami a red card, while Ayew is able to complete the 90 minutes.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Correct decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: It's a very, very poor tackle, isn't it? I think the player himself will admit that today when he sees it. What I'd say about Bobby Madley is he was absolutely clinical. He's seen it, he's recognised it and he has acted quickly. He has been strong and he has taken the correct action. It is a red card and there's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that's the case. I think everybody will agree. Ayew has done nothing wrong. He's gone for the ball and he's low whereas Behrami is way over the ball, he's caught Ayew high and caught him with his studs. It's dangerous.

INCIDENT: Grant Hanley (Blackburn) goal against Fulham, goal not awarded

Grant Hanley's header crossed the line but there's no goal-line technology in the Championship
Image: Grant Hanley's header crossed the line but there's no goal-line technology in the Championship

THE SCENARIO: A goalbound header is cleared off the line by Fulham's Ryan Fredericks but the rebound bounces off Hanley's shoulder and moves back towards the goal. The ball falls over the line before Jamie O'Hara can clear, with TV replays proving that to be the case. However, with no goal-line technology used in the Championship, there is no way of confirming if the goal should stand and referee Tony Harrington allows play to continue without awarding it.

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: It's a difficult call for everybody and for the referee it's impossible. For the assistant referee, it's also practically impossible. If the ball bounces on the ground, there's a line there you can see but when it's that high in the air, there's very little chance. It happened so quickly and the assistant's got no chance whatsoever. It's just one of them that has gone away and you can't help how it panned out without goal-line technology.

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