Unveiling the Controversial Referee Decisions: In-depth Analysis of Arsenal vs Man Utd Match by Dermot Gallagher

'Evans could have given penalty away'

Dermot Gallagher analyzes the key moments from the recent Premier League games, along with a contentious episode in the Old Firm encounter at Ibrox on Sunday.

INCIDENT: Declan Rice finds the back of the net from a corner amidst the tussle between Jonny Evans and Gabriel - Manchester United insists the goal should be disallowed and a free-kick granted.

DERMOT SUGGESTS: There is a possibility that it could have been a foul in the opposite direction as both players were grappling with each other. Ultimately, Evans displaces Gabriel.

It presents a challenging decision for the referee who has an optimal perspective. The outcome could have easily favored the alternative scenario, resulting in a penalty.

'This is what VAR is for - it is just offside'

INCIDENT: Alejandro Garnacho is played through on goal, before beating Aaron Ramsdale, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside by the VAR.

DERMOT SAYS: This is precisely why VAR exists - when the lines are applied and indicate an offside position, it is indisputably offside. Once the lines are examined, it becomes apparent that Gabriel hasn't leaned forward as much as Garnacho.

'Gabriel stands his ground'

DERMOT'S VERDICT: No penalty should have been awarded as Hojlund pushed the ball too far and Gabriel stood his ground without committing any foul.

'The right decision - Havertz goes into Wan-Bissaka'

INCIDENT: Aaron Wan-Bissaka challenges Kai Havertz in the box, causing the latter to fall down. Referee Anthony Taylor initially awards a penalty, but it is later overturned by the VAR.

DERMOT SAYS: Honestly, when I witnessed that [on Sunday], I initially believed it was a penalty. However, after viewing the second replay, my perspective completely shifted.

In my opinion, I initially thought he had tripped him, but upon observing the replay, Wan-Bissaka positions his foot and Havertz unintentionally collides with him.

Should Saka have been sent off?

So the preferred choice has been made, which is exactly what we desired. We discussed it last week.

INCIDENT: Bukayo Saka is cautioned with a yellow card for an aggressive tackle on Bruno Fernandes. Should the Arsenal winger have faced a red card?

INCIDENT: Saka is fouled first but he still follows through. The fact he is low and has come from such a short distance, there's no intensity, making it a yellow card rather than a red.

'A strong yellow card'

INCIDENT: Victor Lindelof lunges in on Eddie Nketiah and is shown a yellow card. Should it have been red?

'A really poor decision by the VAR'

DERMOT SAYS: Upon VAR review, it was determined that the situation warranted a yellow card. In this case, it cannot be deemed as DOGSO since the offense occurred too far away from the goal. Moreover, the contact did not occur on the player's head. Therefore, a strong yellow card is the appropriate disciplinary action.

RESULT: Nathan Ake scores a header, giving Manchester City a 2-1 lead against Fulham. However, his teammate Manuel Akanji, who was standing in an offside position, had to quickly move aside to avoid interfering with the ball. The question arises: should the goal have been disallowed? Dermot, a commentator watching the game live, expressed his initial concern by stating, "This could be given as offside."

After watching just one replay, it was evident to me that he was offside. He was quite clearly positioned ahead of the goalkeeper and was clearly attempting to make a play on the ball. The decision made by the VAR in this case was truly disappointing.

I sympathize with the referee and the assistant in this situation. Michael Oliver, positioned near the edge of the box, had numerous players obstructing his view, making it impossible for him to be completely certain.

The assistant can tell he's in an offside position which is an offence in itself, but he doesn't know if Akanji is in line with the goalkeeper.

The angle from behind the goal - it's so obvious.

Should Liverpool's first goal have stood vs Aston Villa?

INCIDENT: Dominik Szoboszlai puts Liverpool in the lead with a powerful strike from beyond the penalty area, but is Mo Salah positioned offside and obstructing Emi Martinez's view of the goal?

DERMOT SAYS: If you observe closely, the goalkeeper initially has a clear line of sight to the ball, and Salah is not in close proximity to it as it sails past him.

It does not merely pass him by; rather, it finds its way into the uppermost corner, propelled with such tremendous velocity that it exerts no influence whatsoever on the outcome of that particular ball.

Were Luton denied a late penalty against West Ham?

INCIDENT: Luton do not receive a belated penalty against West Ham on Friday Night Football, despite the ball making contact with James Ward-Prowse's hand following a corner.

DERMOT SAYS: This is a situation that can be interpreted differently considering the current state of handball.

My viewpoint differs from that of a former Premier League referee I spoke with on Saturday. He believes it should not be considered a handball, whereas I believe it should, given the significant progress that has been made. The player's arm was raised to shoulder height, which further supports my argument.

'Rangers goal should have stood - no foul'

His argument was that the ball comes over a defender's head as he is looking away, creating a dilemma. In such a situation, one heavily relies on the on-field referee to make the decision.

'Rangers goal should have stood - no foul'

INCIDENT: Kemar Roofe's opening goal in Rangers' match against Celtic was disallowed by VAR after determining that Cyriel Dessers had fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke during the buildup.

DERMOT SAYS: The referee's decision on the pitch is entirely accurate – there was no foul committed. Dessers manages to move ahead of him.

All I can consider is whether he'll change his mind after reviewing the footage. Without the VAR stepping in, hardly anyone would have voiced any grievances.

The goal should have been counted as there was no foul committed using his feet. Celtic's centre-back expresses his frustration towards his teammate for holding onto the ball. Players can interpret body language and distinguish between fouls and non-fouls.

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