3 up, 3 down: Featuring Arsenal and Chelsea stars

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Down: Referees

Most of the time, referees come in for a lot of unfair criticism that detracts from the game as a spectacle. However, on occasions they make genuine mistakes which carry serious consequences throughout the season. This weekend saw, not one, but two dreadful decisions which may significantly impact the seasons of the clubs involved.

First was Martin Atkinson, who sent off Danny Simpson early in the second half of the Arsenal v Leicester match. Yes, Simpson had just been (rightfully) booked. Yes, he fouled Giroud. But the foul was so soft and irrelevant that it is very difficult to say with complete certainty that it warranted a second yellow card. With the game poised at 1-0 to Leicester, the referee should have warned Simpson about his conduct but left his cards in his pocket until the next offence. It detracted from the game as a spectacle and contest.

Second came Mark Clatternburg, in the Manchester City v Tottenham game. With the score at 0-0, in almost the exact same minute as Atkinson’s faux pas, Clattenburg awarded Spurs a penalty for an apparent handball by Raheem Sterling. As much as Sterling shouldn’t have turned his back on the cross, there should not have been a penalty due to the fact the ball hit him in the midriff.

Two big mistakes which could have huge repercussions for the rest of these clubs seasons.