Referee; Kevin Friend

[Guppyspotter]

Thought he was excellent tonight, let the players on both sides know early on that he wasn't interested in their play acting. Made for a good game.

[Stacky_claret]

He was good apart from the shaw card incedent

[claptrappers_union]

He was good apart from the shaw card incedent

That’s not entirely down to him though

[MDWat]

Thought he was great apart from the disallowed goal, which I thought was a fair goal.

[Zlatan]

For the first time in a long time I agree that the ref was very good tonight.

You could argue that Shaw could have been a red, but the important thing is how he managed the situation and reviewed the incidents and concluded the fouls occurred in the right sequences and as such rescinded Brady’s card and decided Shaw’s was a yellow - a subjective decision which I am comfortable with. I dread to think how it would have turned out if Bob Jones was ref... Brady’s would have been red and Guddy would have been booked for diving...

It’s good to get a good ref on occasions.

[dpinsussex]

Was good to see him deal with Cavani theatrics and bring in Maguire to deal with him.

[Zlatan]

Was good to see him deal with Cavani theatrics and bring in Maguire to deal with him.

Absolutely, again another reason to praise him

[Bin Ont Turf]

A difficult game to ref was that.

All the big decisions were correct in the end.

Did anyone else see Shaw get the ball in a 50/50?

I'm only asking because I get paranoid that I watch a different game to everyone else.

[Devils_Advocate]

Shaw def got his foot to the ball first in a similar way as Pope did against Bamford and both took the opposition player out in the follow through. The correct decision was reached on both occasions

Maguire was the big decision he got wrong and if thats a foul then you could chalk off a fair share of our set piece goals. Still no harm done in the end as Utd got the first goal eventually

[ClaretTony]

Excellent performance I thought - and probably his one error was not allowing the goal.

[Swizzlestick]

Dealt with a difficult game to officiate very well. One of the better refs in the PL.

[Funkydrummer]

I know it sounds silly, but I enjoyed his performance tonight.

Honest endeavour I would call it. Good on him I say.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Was good to see him deal with Cavani theatrics and bring in Maguire to deal with him.

Cavani was controlled, for a change. It was good refereeing

[NewClaret]

Very good.

Not sure if the Maguire handball deserved more of a look?

[tarkys_ears]

Was good to see him deal with Cavani theatrics and bring in Maguire to deal with him.

Agree but he should have booked him early on.

I've never seen such a baby in all my life.

[Vino blanco]

I thought he did well and made it clear he wasn't taking the normal whinging and complaining from the Manu players.

[IanMcL]

A difficult game to ref was that.

All the big decisions were correct in the end.

Did anyone else see Shaw get the ball in a 50/50?

I'm only asking because I get paranoid that I watch a different game to everyone else.

Yes. Shaw won the ball but followed through, as Gudmundsson had the ball and forward momentum. Had he not touched the ball, then definite red. As he did, he got the benefit of the doubt.

No issue with that.

[Blyclaret]

Mr Robert Jones the VAR ref tonight.
Getting a bit of a reputation is Mr Jones.

[quoonbeatz]

Maguire's goal should have stood and we should have had a penalty for Maguire's handball so that evened itself up.

The Shaw incident they got right in that it was a foul (in the current climate) but Shaw should have been sent off. There's just no consistency, which is one of the thing they should be able to fix with VAR. This incident was very much like John Lundstram's sending off the other week, where he won the ball a lot more than Shaw did tonight but VAR deemed it a sending off.

I wouldn't have sent off Shaw or Lundstram but if one goes, they both should have gone.

[Stacky_claret]

That’s not entirely down to him though

I think he had the final decision as he watched it on the monitor
For certain if it had been Westwood on Fernandes or Pogba it would have been red and they wouldn’t have stood up yet

[bfcmik]

I think he had the final decision as he watched it on the monitor
For certain if it had been Westwood on Fernandes or Pogba it would have been red and they wouldn’t have stood up yet

I thought Pogba was hit hard, and painfully, on a number of occasions but got on with it pretty quickly each time. It may be that Friend had made it clear he was going to ignore theatrical rolling around so Pogba may have simply decided it wasn't worth the effort.

[Vegas Claret]

those saying his only error was the goal - yes it was never a foul BUT the ball at the corner was clearly nowhere near the correct place, it was nearly in our 6 yard box when he took the corner !! Something I figured VAR would have picked up on had it gone to them

Other than that, that's the best I've seen him - didn't let Man Utd ref the game

[NewClaret]

No PK for the Maguire handball? I thought that looked close (arm raised)?

[Grumps]

Mr Robert Jones the VAR ref tonight.
Getting a bit of a reputation is Mr Jones.

Not for our game he wasn't, Atwell was ours

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Kevin Friend always seems to have a shocker whichever match I watch him ref. Thought tonight he had a really good one! Also has he had Botox or something he’s looking .... different

[Woodleyclaret]

Maguire pushed over Erik for his non goal
Clear foul.Shaw should have been sent off for trying to maim an opponent
A much better game for Friend, it was a shame we didn't turn up for the second half

[bfcjg]

Good game and he was right to disallow the goal he shoved Pieters enough to put him off.

[dpinsussex]

The Maguire handball was a correct decision.

The interpretation of the laws of the game are now that if the arm is where it is expected to be when the ball strikes assuming there has been no deliberate movement to the ball then no penalty should be given.
What they do not want is the ridiculous penalties given at the start of the season, nor that defenders should play with their arms behind their backs.

[dandeclaret]

I think he got 2 big decisions wrong. I think in the current game it's a red card for Luke Shaw. I wasn't sure that VAR could go back to look at Yellow card offences.

If Maguire's goal, was switched around, and it was Tarkowski attacking the ball like that and scoring that goal, I would be raging that the goal was disallowed. I think it was just a very good header. That said, the person delivering the ball shouldn't have been on the pitch

[DCWat]

I think he got 2 big decisions wrong. I think in the current game it's a red card for Luke Shaw. I wasn't sure that VAR could go back to look at Yellow card offences.

If Maguire's goal, was switched around, and it was Tarkowski attacking the ball like that and scoring that goal, I would be raging that the goal was disallowed. I think it was just a very good header. That said, the person delivering the ball shouldn't have been on the pitch

Wasn’t the point of going back to the Shaw challenge to see if it warranted a red card?

Colour of card and the time it took aside, the handling of that incident was spot on for me.

Agree about the disallowed goal, I thought that was very harsh and I’d definitely have wanted a goal the other way around.

[MT03ALG]

Generally a good game from the referee but having just watched and timed the first half again I would make the following observations:
1. The referee needs to buy a new watch - added time should have been 8 minutes 30 seconds, (i.e. a minimum of 8 minutes) not 4 minutes
2. Luke Shaw should have received a red card for going over the top, a leg-breaking tackle. What was the yellow card for ?
3. The disallowed goal was correct, a distinct left hand in the back of Pieters (which probably wasn't necessary)
Second half to follow !!

[Herts Clarets]

Pretty sure Friend will be marked down by the assessor for a glaring omission during the game in failing to award Manchester United their penalty.

[Boss Hogg]

Thought Friend had a good game and made correct but difficult decisions. Credit where it’s due.

[aggi]

I think he got 2 big decisions wrong. I think in the current game it's a red card for Luke Shaw. I wasn't sure that VAR could go back to look at Yellow card offences.

If Maguire's goal, was switched around, and it was Tarkowski attacking the ball like that and scoring that goal, I would be raging that the goal was disallowed. I think it was just a very good header. That said, the person delivering the ball shouldn't have been on the pitch

VAR was reviewing the red card offence (Brady to be sent off) so the yellow was a result of that red card review (I think).

[MT03ALG]

Referee changed his watch at half-time. Added time on board was 4 minutes. Referee played 7 minutes 25 seconds added time because of added time during added time !! Should have been 8 minutes in total but not bad. Penalty should have been awarded to Burnley for handball against Maguire (hand away from body not in a natural position) - would have been a certain penalty the other way round.

[ChrisG]

those saying his only error was the goal - yes it was never a foul BUT the ball at the corner was clearly nowhere near the correct place, it was nearly in our 6 yard box when he took the corner !! Something I figured VAR would have picked up on had it gone to them

Other than that, that's the best I've seen him - didn't let Man Utd ref the game

The ball appeared to be outside of the corner quadrant, but that's fine as long as at least part (say 1mm) of it is overhanging the line. The base of the ball doesn't have to be on the line or in the quadrant.

[Vegas Claret]

The ball appeared to be outside of the corner quadrant, but that's fine as long as at least part (say 1mm) of it is overhanging the line. The base of the ball doesn't have to be on the line or in the quadrant.

I'm well aware of the rules, I'm also well aware than it was nowhere near

[Claretitus]

Every corner that Shaw took was illegal. Ball wasn’t in the quadrant once. I know that Westy does this also, but why have a quadrant, if the Lino just stands there and let em do what they like?

[ChrisG]

Every corner that Shaw took was illegal. Ball wasn’t in the quadrant once. I know that Westy does this also, but why have a quadrant, if the Lino just stands there and let em do what they like?

As above, it doesn't have to be sat in the quadrant. It's perfectly legal as long as any part is overhanging the line

[ChrisG]

I'm well aware of the rules, I'm also well aware than it was nowhere near

I think it was just the camera angle that makes it look out. Westwood does the same, as do most teams you see on TV, small margins as Dyche says.

[NewClaret]

I think he got 2 big decisions wrong. I think in the current game it's a red card for Luke Shaw. I wasn't sure that VAR could go back to look at Yellow card offences.

If Maguire's goal, was switched around, and it was Tarkowski attacking the ball like that and scoring that goal, I would be raging that the goal was disallowed. I think it was just a very good header. That said, the person delivering the ball shouldn't have been on the pitch

I’ve just watched the extended highlights back on United’s site so had United biased commentary!

On reflection, I think you might be right in Shaw. I thought yellow last night but watching it again, more a red. Maguires goal I thought he called correctly, but agree it was harsh and I’d be disappointed if it were given against.

What I can’t understand is why no debate about Maguires handball at the end? Looked clear to me, with arm away from his body.

[Vegas Claret]

I think it was just the camera angle that makes it look out. Westwood does the same, as do most teams you see on TV, small margins as Dyche says.

possibly, I only saw it in live time but seeing the response Gary Lineker got to his "how was that disallowed" tweet where he was bombarded by supporters of all clubs who all said the ball was clearly well outside the quadrant I'll stick with what I thought - I do understand your point though

[dpinsussex]

I’ve just watched the extended highlights back on United’s site so had United biased commentary!

On reflection, I think you might be right in Shaw. I thought yellow last night but watching it again, more a red. Maguires goal I thought he called correctly, but agree it was harsh and I’d be disappointed if it were given against.

What I can’t understand is why no debate about Maguires handball at the end? Looked clear to me, with arm away from his body.

I explained why the decision was what it was this morning.

Copied again for your ease of finding

"The Maguire handball was a correct decision.

The interpretation of the laws of the game are now that if the arm is where it is expected to be when the ball strikes assuming there has been no deliberate movement to the ball then no penalty should be given.
What they do not want is the ridiculous penalties given at the start of the season, nor that defenders should play with their arms behind their backs."

Hope.that helps

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Friend was very good last night, its about time though.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

[NewClaret]

I explained why the decision was what it was this morning.

Copied again for your ease of finding

"The Maguire handball was a correct decision.

The interpretation of the laws of the game are now that if the arm is where it is expected to be when the ball strikes assuming there has been no deliberate movement to the ball then no penalty should be given.
What they do not want is the ridiculous penalties given at the start of the season, nor that defenders should play with their arms behind their backs."

Hope.that helps

Sorry dpinsussex, had missed that.

So has that rule/interpretation changed mid-season then? If it has, that explains it because I’d seen pens given for less.

Tbh, does make sense and probably a fair call given Maguire was jumping.

[dpinsussex]

Sorry dpinsussex, had missed that.

So has that rule/interpretation changed mid-season then? If it has, that explains it because I’d seen pens given for less.

Tbh, does make sense and probably a fair call given Maguire was jumping.

Correct that is exactly what has happened and was then cascaded down the pyramid

[MT03ALG]

Kevin Friend had a good game except for:
1. Playing 4.5 minutes short in the first half
2. Playing 30 seconds short in the second half.
3. Failing to award a red card to Luke Shaw for dangerous play
4. Failing to award a penalty for handball by Maguire