" Premier League refereeing and VAR "

I have to say, I really enjoyed the first weekend of the Premier League.

Great goals and entertaining matches.


But one of the other main reasons for it was the changes to refereeing and VAR. No big mistakes by VAR or no stupid offside decisions.


No more two minute waits for a VAR decision, staying with the on-field decision unless it really is a clear and obvious error.

Not giving fouls every time contact is made when a challenge goes in.

The last ten minutes of Spurs v Man City proved that. Spurs players were going in with slide tackles and the referee just let the game flow.

Last season it looked like a lot of players were scared of making slide tackles because they were worried it would be given as a foul.

It's like football of old and it's the game us fans want to watch.


So much better and long may it continue.

To watch all the football on the weekend, refs letting tackles go whereas last season they would have awarded free kicks. The games were flowing, no stop and start, brilliant. Lets hope the refs keep it up throughout the season

I have to say, I really enjoyed the first weekend of the Premier League.

Great goals and entertaining matches.


But one of the other main reasons for it was the changes to refereeing and VAR. No big mistakes by VAR or no stupid offside decisions.


No more two minute waits for a VAR decision, staying with the on-field decision unless it really is a clear and obvious error.

Not giving fouls every time contact is made when a challenge goes in.

The last ten minutes of Spurs v Man City proved that. Spurs players were going in with slide tackles and the referee just let the game flow.

Last season it looked like a lot of players were scared of making slide tackles because they were worried it would be given as a foul.

It's like football of old and it's the game us fans want to watch.


So much better and long may it continue.

confusing as last years yellow cards are not even free kicks now but better in the long run ,it was getting silly

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

Mike Riley must be someone on here

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

Mike Riley must be someone on here

Well ned there are a lot of people on here using so many names it's hard to know whose who perhaps hes one of them?

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

Mike Riley must be someone on here

Well ned there are a lot of people on here using so many names it's hard to know whose who perhaps hes one of them?

Ain't that the truth...!

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

Mike Riley must be someone on here

Well ned there are a lot of people on here using so many names it's hard to know whose who perhaps hes one of them?

Too true

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

Well said Chris

The irony was towards the end when Grealish got booked for bringing down Lucas Moura and he accused Lucas Moura of going to ground too easily.

Jack Grealish of all people saying that

There was one incident on Saturday where there was an obvious foul on defender ....the type you see against Morrison every other week at set plays..... it resulted in goal as defender was left on ground after being pushed to ground it left attacker with simple header from cross... other than that it's been refreshing to see play carry on and not he stopped for every simple contact? Hopefully refs will see this as enhancing game and will keep doing it...the more they do it less problem with the cheating ...

I think that one was a 50/50 and right decision to allow the goal.

Maupay had no intention of playing the ball but just to block Tarkowski and I think Tarkowski was within his rights to just run through him so he can get to the ball.


The penalty for West Ham earlier was the only other debatable decision. But I don't have much of an issue with that either because it was Martin Atkinson as the on field referee and he gave the penalty. Wasn't a clear and obvious mistake so I was pleased that VAR didn't make him change it or waste time with him going over to the monitor.



But a very good start and if it stays like this all season, then it will be much more enjoyable to watch. As said by Skidemin, last season was getting ridiculous and its a strange situation now where things that were yellow cards last season aren't even fouls now.. But its much much better

Ned
They've seen my posts about the cheating that's why they are letting game flow and not stopping for every little thing? but it is much more enjoyable to watch must agree.

Mike Riley must be someone on here

Well ned there are a lot of people on here using so many names it's hard to know whose who perhaps hes one of them?

Ain't that the truth...!

Chris a dozen posts or so in several yrs is a bit of a give away Saturday saw several come out of woodwork ...... but as for var and refs it's been really good to watch football and not ballerinas for a change?

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

Well said Chris

The irony was towards the end when Grealish got booked for bringing down Lucas Moura and he accused Lucas Moura of going to ground too easily.

Jack Grealish of all people saying that

You couldn't make it up (re Grealish) Ned...

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

Well said Chris

The irony was towards the end when Grealish got booked for bringing down Lucas Moura and he accused Lucas Moura of going to ground too easily.

Jack Grealish of all people saying that

Ned, Chris, I noticed that commentator said "kettle calling the pot black" reaction off Grealish was comical, he got booked for the reaction

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

Well said Chris

The irony was towards the end when Grealish got booked for bringing down Lucas Moura and he accused Lucas Moura of going to ground too easily.

Jack Grealish of all people saying that

Ned, Chris, I noticed that commentator said "kettle calling the pot black" reaction off Grealish was comical, he got booked for the reaction

Good player skill-wise but we know him to be (ahem) less than honest when challenged (or sometimes not) by the opposition; and it seems he is going to get some back this season, which is also refreshing

Remember, as a person, this is a man who would leave the scene of an accident claiming his 'fame' would attract attention; nothing to do with him having been to a party where he may (or may not for clarity) have had a 'drink'

The football this weekend was refreshing to watch and athe referees played a large and active part in proceedings

Some crunching but legitimate 'old-style' tackles went in and those brave players were rewarded for their craft

I particularly enjoyed the Spurs v Man City game today where an excellent Spurs fought tooth and nail to defend their lead, putting in some solid but legal tackles that would have brought free kicks, penalties and cards ladt season; and tge crownjng glory was seeing Jack Grealish sat on his backside so many timed looking at the referee in bewilderment...

Loving it (so far)

Well said Chris

The irony was towards the end when Grealish got booked for bringing down Lucas Moura and he accused Lucas Moura of going to ground too easily.

Jack Grealish of all people saying that

Ned, Chris, I noticed that commentator said "kettle calling the pot black" reaction off Grealish was comical, he got booked for the reaction

Good player skill-wise but we know him to be (ahem) less than honest when challenged (or sometimes not) by the opposition; and it seems he is going to get some back this season, which is also refreshing

Remember, as a person, this is a man who would leave the scene of an accident claiming his 'fame' would attract attention; nothing to do with him having been to a party where he may (or may not for clarity) have had a 'drink'

Chris he went down a few times in the game and last season would have free kicks for them, I hope this season continues as it has started, about time the refs done their job properly. I am looking forward to games now, as before games were boring with all the stop start free kicks given.
I really enjoyed watching them now. Hopefully going to stop a lot of the cheats, as a they realize that they are not going to get free kicks that are not genuine ones