The Chelsea vs Manchester City Thriller: Penalty Drama Unpacked
In what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most electrifying matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season, Chelsea and Manchester City played out a 4-4 draw filled with contentious refereeing decisions that had fans and pundits debating for days.
Haaland’s Controversial Penalty Award
The first major flashpoint came when Marc Cucurella tangled with Erling Haaland in the box. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher analyzed the incident for Banglawin88: “From the sideways angle, it’s clear Cucurella initiates contact and maintains his grip. While both players were grappling, the Chelsea defender’s persistent holding made this a textbook penalty decision.”
Gallagher emphasized the importance of on-field officiating in such situations: “VAR wouldn’t have overturned this either way. These are exactly the types of decisions where we need referees to trust their instincts rather than rely on video review.”
Chelsea’s Last-Gasp Penalty Equalizer
The drama continued in stoppage time when Ruben Dias brought down Armando Broja. Gallagher was unequivocal in his assessment: “When a defender slides in like that and misses the ball completely, taking out the attacker instead, there’s only one possible outcome. The referee’s positioning was perfect, and he made the right call immediately.”
Cole Palmer kept his nerve to convert the late penalty that earned Chelsea a dramatic point
Haaland’s Goal Survives VAR Scrutiny
Manchester City thought they had won it when Haaland bundled the ball over the line after a lengthy VAR check for possible handball. Gallagher explained: “The officials took their time to be certain, which is exactly what we want after recent controversies. Haaland showed excellent awareness to keep his arm clear, and the technology confirmed the goal should stand.”
Liverpool’s Endo Escapes Red in Brentford Victory
Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brentford wasn’t without its talking points, particularly concerning Wataru Endo’s robust challenge on Christian Norgaard.
Wataru Endo’s sliding challenge sparked debate but was deemed fair by officials
Gallagher defended the decision not to show red: “This was a classic case of two players fully committed to winning the ball. Endo kept his challenge low and controlled – exactly what we want to see in competitive midfield battles. The referee’s vantage point was perfect to judge the intensity.”
The offside call on Kostas Tsimikas’ assist for Mohamed Salah also came under scrutiny, with Gallagher confirming: “The technology clearly showed part of the ball remained in play. These millimeter decisions are why we have goal-line technology and VAR working in tandem.”
Crystal Palace vs Everton: Refereeing Lessons Learned
Samuel Barrott, officiating just his fourth Premier League match, found himself at the center of two pivotal penalty decisions in Everton’s 3-2 win at Selhurst Park.
Gallagher praised Barrott’s handling of the first penalty call: “When a defender dangles a leg like Branthwaite did, he’s essentially inviting the referee to make that decision. Contact was made, and the penalty was justified.”
However, the veteran official suggested Barrott could have handled Eze’s second appeal differently: “This is where experience comes into play. Sometimes ‘no decision’ is better than punishing what you think might be simulation. I’ve no doubt Barrott will learn from this – he’s one of the most promising young referees in the game.”
Brighton vs Sheffield United: Clear Red Card Correctly Given
The weekend’s most straightforward decision came at the Amex Stadium, where Mahmoud Dahoud saw red for a dangerous challenge on Ben Osborn.
Gallagher was emphatic: “This was textbook serious foul play. The studs-down-the-calf action is exactly what the laws are designed to punish. Excellent identification by the referee and perfect VAR protocol followed.”
Final Whistle: Why These Decisions Matter
As Banglawin88 analysis shows, Premier League officiating continues to evolve with each matchweek. While technology has helped eliminate obvious errors, the human element remains crucial in interpreting the game’s most contentious moments.
What made this particular weekend stand out was the variety of decisions – from clear-cut red cards to subjective penalty calls – that tested officials at every level. As Gallagher noted, “The best referees make the big calls with conviction, and that’s exactly what we saw across these matches.”
For fans wanting deeper analysis of Premier League officiating, Banglawin88 will continue providing expert breakdowns of all the major decisions each week. Which call surprised you most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
