Could tell at the time is was a clear goal scoring opportunity and this just confirms it.

It was a double offence 1. DCGSO, 2. deliberate handball. Can't understand how the ref didn't give it as a red.

I don't buy into bigger clubs getting preferential treatment, I just think the referee has had a shocker on this occasion. Would have been confident of seeing out a win against 10 men from there, so could argue its cost us 3 points.

It's swings and roundabouts and they usually even out over the course of the season - we had one in our favour at Newcastle the other week.

all i can say is that last defenders now know ,if they can force the opponent out on a wider angle, that they can foul, handle the ball, pull the shirt etc, kick the player = only a yellow as the player was not heading towards goal.
A new precedent has been created

COYP

Interesting question that. I mean, obviously a world class player is more likely to score than a mediocre one, and even if you ignore the standard of the player in question, a fast attacking player is far more likely to capitalise on an opportunity than a slow defensive player is.

Where would you stop once you start differentiating? Perhaps you could factor in whether the attacking player had the ball on his stronger or weaker foot? Or what kind of form he's been in. Or if he's carrying an injury. I mean, we would all instinctively recognise the role these things play in how dangerous a chance is, but I don't believe referees can or do factor in the identity of the player.

I did just post this on the match thread and only just seen this thread so I'll post it on here as well.

Now don't shoot me down here but as a qualified referee I'll give my take on the Silva incident.

Now clearly it was an obvious handball and it was what is known as a DOGSO (Denying a goal or an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity)

When you get taught about DOGSO on your referee course you're told to take into account the Distance to the goal, the Direction the attacker is travelling and the distance of the other defenders from the ball.

I'll admit this one was a tough one but taking my Palace glasses off and putting my referee glasses on Ayew was to the left hand side of the pitch. His direction of travel was to the left and not towards the goal. His distance from goal was still about 35 yards and there was another defender, apart from Silva level with him or just behind him when the foul occurred.

I think taking all that into consideration I can see why a yellow was given and not a red.

However it was a tight one I'll admit. I hope this explains things a little bit for everyone.

Don't waste your time with jealousy. Sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind, the race is long. But in the end it's only with yourself!!

obivously I should have added Mbappe to that list

With his speed, he could have easily reached the goal, and thus a 1on1 with the keeper before any of the covering defenders could get there.

IMHO, you cannot penalise a situation like this for one player and not another. Which way should it go?

FWIW, I don't buy into the corruption of refs - not intentionally, anyway. I just think their levels of incompetency seemingly know no bounds.
BUT (and it's a big but) the rulebook does not help them.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

I suggest you seek better company.

Living near Brighton then admitting to having not 1, not 2, but 3 Chelsea mates.....well, you worry me sometimes.

Living down here does have some advantages. At least you can see them cry.