Watching the pre-game! :-)
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IT'S ONNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!


and as pnoon says, I am DVR'ing it right now at home. please don't spoil whether or not i won some sticks until tomorrow. :-)
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I really wanna spoil it.:-)
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DRAW!!!!!

great game. both defenses played phenomenally
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I think splitting the points was a fair result, but I'm disappointed. It was a home match. When you're one of the Big Four you expect to win your home matches. We're Manchester United. If we don't collect all three points at home, that ought to be disappointing, no? Now, should we have been given the penalty?


Image


Obviously, I'm biased. So ignore me if you'd like. But I say it's a penalty. I know Lampard is only a short distance from Cleverley so that's the 'ball played the arm' argument. However, it's apparent that Lampard prevented a clear goal-scoring opportunity with his outstretched arm inside the 18-yard box. We'll never know anything of Lampard's intent. We can't know the man's mind. But the fact is, he did jump into the path of the ball with his arm outstretched and he blocked the shot. I'd have given it. Would you?

It says in The Telegraph that Moyes is asking for clarification. The issue, for me, is consistency. Either it is a penalty, or it is not a penalty, forever. Not sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. Anyone care to chime in?

Here's more from BBC Sport: What is 'deliberate' handball? :-)

Finally, since the match ended in a draw, are you guys going to 'split the points' too? You could mail each other two sticks. :-)

In other news, Liverpool, at Anfield, on my horizon. :-)
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That's what I was wondering....do we send each other a fiver now?....:-)

As for the handball, I think it very easily could've been given, seeing other handballs that have been called. Maybe the ref let it slide, taking the distance from the kicker and the distance of his arm from his body into consideration. You guys should've had Mark Clattenburg in your lineup again. That would've fixed it.:-)
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I've been a referee for 12 years and an instructor/assessor for 6 so I have a bit of knowledge in this area.

First, let me say that having been an official, I appreciate and respect how difficult a job it is - in any sport. At the top level, the play moves extremely fast and officials don't have replay or time to deliberate. So I tend to give referees the benefit of the doubt most of the time.

Viewing the posted video, I can see a legitimate plea for a PK. However, consider this. The defender was no more than 2-3 yards when the ball was struck. Also, consider that when a player jumps/leaps, it is almost impossible to keep their hands at their side. I don't see where the arm was extended in an unnatural fashion and even at the highest level, players flinch. So I have no problem with the non-call. That being said, I would not criticize the referee if he HAD called the PK. A bit harsh, maybe. But again, I would support his decision. A call close enough to legitimately go either way.






Besides, it was ManEffingU. So I don't feel bad. :-)
:-)
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I agree with all of the above. Especially the last bit lol.:-) Even being a Chelsea fan, I wouldn't have blamed the ref for a bad call had he called it a PK. A bit harsh maybe, but like yourself, I think it could've legitimately gone either way.
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:-)

Yes! Now we got banter! :-)

Peter, I have to say, that was a well-reasoned, level-headed contribution to the thread, which I'm sure everyone agrees is your hallmark here on Cigar Asylum...

You're certain you're a referee? :-)

Honestly, Peter, it's been years since you told me back on CS, so I completely forgot you're a referee! Here's a little joke I think everyone will enjoy, but it's especially for you, my fave Liverpool fan...

The Ref and the Funeral Procession

In the middle of the match, the referee suddenly blows his whistle to stop play when he sees a long funeral procession on the road that runs alongside the field. He closes his eyes and bows his head.

'Wow,' said the yellow-carded striker. 'That is the most thoughtful and touching thing I've ever seen. You truly are a kind man. I'll never think badly of a referee again.'

The referee replies, 'Thanks son, we were married nearly 30 years.'
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All joking aside, I have the utmost respect for referees. That is a very difficult, thankless job. My hat is off to them.

Regardless of what club they support. :-)
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:-)

Gotta enjoy Liverpool being ahead of ManU in the table. I know. It's early in the season and it won't last long but still . . .
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Alright. Same thing this weekend.

Any of you fans that unfortunately follow liverpool want to put a fiver on this weekends match?
Posted via Mobile Device
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My heart says yes. My brain says no. :-)
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Really looking forward to this one. This time, unfortunately, I have to DVR the match. So I'm under self-imposed radio silence until Sunday night. Until then, this is your pal, ColdCuts, singing...

:-) Glory, glory, Man United,
:-) Glory, glory, Man United,
:-) Glory, glory, Man United,
:-) And the reds go marching on, on, on...
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Can't hold it any more... Should've known David Moyes has NEVER won a game at Anfield, Reds dominated game, Gerard telling Van Persie to "pipe down you f*cking prick"- PRICELESS, BR becoming a KOP legend, would've liked a higher score, Sterling almost got one in at the end! Walk On Boys!! Swansea you're next!!
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They're playing well. Plus they signed 3 more quality players.
Gotta like things going forward.
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:-)
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:-)
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damn phone updated me on the score, so i didn't even waste the time of watching the game on the DVR.

oh well. get the crap out now.
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Had we not gotten all three points at home against Palace, I'd have really begun to worry. Beautifully executed free-kick from Rooney.

Also, while some referees are remembered for their game-changing wrong calls, I'll remember this game's official, Jon Moss, for making four very difficult correct calls -- even though 3/4 did not go United's way. :-)

Hear that, pnoon? Props to the ref! :-)
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