Ref Watch: Why was Man Utd’s Diogo Dalot sent off for dissent but not Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez?

Dermot Gallagher explains why Diogo Dalot was sent off for dissent in Man Utd’s goalless draw with Liverpool, but not Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd

INCIDENT: Diogo Dalot was shown two yellow cards in stoppage time, one after the other and both for dissent. His reaction is because the throw in is given the wrong way. Were the two bookings a bit harsh?

DERMOT SAYS: “The throw is not clearly given the wrong way. It is a United throw when you look at it again but when I first saw it I wasn’t convinced.

“You can’t act like Dalot did. It doesn’t look good and isn’t a good image to be portraying around the world.

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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher take a closer look at Diogo Dalot’s two yellow card’s for dissent and ask the question whether both cautions were needed from referee Michael Oliver

“Whether you like it or not, that is the remit referees have been given this season. That is why there is such a high number of yellow cards for this type of offence.”

INCIDENT: In the first half at Anfield, Darwin Nunez was booked for a challenge on Jonny Evans. He complained about the decision and seemed to sarcastically clap the assistant referee for getting him booked.

So should this not have been two yellow cards as well?

Mohamed Salah was also seen waving an imaginary card towards the referee, but was not booked.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United

DERMOT SAYS: “It’s so so difficult because this is not an exact science.

“On the one hand, you say to me I don’t want two yellow cards for Dalot, but two minutes later you say you want a yellow for Salah and three for Nunez.

“I have nowhere to go. Whichever way I jump, you will say I’m wrong.

“In the current climate the referee has no choice. I get that United fans will call for Nunez to be sent off but the referee didn’t choose to do it.”

Dermot on Rebecca Welch and Sam Allison appointments…

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Ref Watch:

“It’s a massive moment for both. It’s ground breaking for both Rebecca and Sam.

“It’s fantastic news and the message it sends out is that people can challenge other referees and get to the Premier League.”

Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Brentford and Aston Villa

INCIDENT: There was a red card for Brentford defender Ben Mee in their game against Aston Villa. Referee David Coote was very close to the incident and only showed a yellow card, but was recommended to have another look. It was then upgraded to a red card.

DERMOT SAYS: “I think the referee got this one right.

“We’ve seen a number of these tackles over the last few weeks. Whether they’ve been given on the field or by the VAR, they’ve been very consistent.

“The player is reaching for the ball and catching the opposition player on the shin with his studs. It’s inevitable it is a red card.”

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There were ugly scenes at the Gtech Community Stadium as Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara was sent off in final minutes of the fiery encounter

INCIDENT: There was also a late red card for Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara. It came after a melee which started between Neal Maupay and Emiliano Martinez.

DERMOT SAYS: “It is pantomime season!

“I felt a little bit for Kamara. You cannot do what he did in the end but he started as the peacemaker. He tries to calm everybody down.

“But it is the hand in the face and it boils over too far. John McGinn even tells him he shouldn’t have done that. It all escalated very quickly to a red card that didn’t need to happen.”

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The Ref Watch panel dissect the scuffle involving Brentford’s Neal Maupay and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez that led to Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara being sent off! West Ham 3-0 Wolves

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Daniel Sturridge and Roy Keane agree that West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal was lucky to escape a red card for his challenge on Wolves’ Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

INCIDENT: West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal was called a ‘lucky boy’ by Super Sunday pundits Daniel Sturridge and Roy Keane for an elbow on Wolves’ Jeanricner Bellegarde. He did not receive a booking for the incident.

DERMOT SAYS: “It has to be more than a free-kick, which is what the referee gave. How far he wants to go would be up to him but he has to sanction the player for that challenge.

“VAR did have a look but said it wasn’t enough for a red card.”

Should a former player be in the VAR room?

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Ref Watch:

“Lots of players tell me they should be. For me, I’m all for the best man for the job.

“I don’t care who it is, whether it is an ex-player or an ex-referee, it’s got to be the best person for the job. I’ve always felt that.”

Jay Bothroyd on Ref Watch:

“I think a former player would understand that Coufal’s challenge is very intentional.

“For me, a former player would help with decisions going forward.

“Maybe not for offsides but for tackles. if you’ve played the game, you’d understand if someone has intentionally tried to hurt someone.”

Newcastle 3-0 Fulham

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Fulham striker Raul Jimenez was sent off for a reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff in Fulham’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park

INCIDENT: Referee Sam Barrott originally gave Raul Jimenez a yellow for a high challenge on Sean Longstaff. He caught the Newcastle midfielder in the face while jumping through the area. The referee was asked to have another look by VAR and it ended up being a red card.

DERMOT SAYS: “He was airborne and out of control. He pulls his foot away, I get that, but he can’t stop. It’s a red card.”