Wolves 1-2 Stoke (17.12.2011)

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was infuriated that Stoke defender Jonathan Woodgate was not sent off for a second booking in the game, but it is hard to agree with him.

Referee Taylor correctly booked Woodgate minutes prior for a late and deliberate foul but taking that out of consideration - as a referee must - and then reviewing his second foul, which led to a Wolves penalty, would lead most referees to back the decision to not dismiss the former Real Madrid player.

The penalty was correctly awarded but the Matt Jarvis had little or no chance of creating an opportunity for a team-mate to score. Moments before the foul, he had pushed the ball on and it seemed to be heading out for a goal kick. What's more, there were numerous other Stoke defenders in the box.

Winning the penalty seemed a bonus in itself as Woodgate made an irrational decision in a moment of little danger. But the foul was not reckless nor did it break-up a promising attacking move or position - so top marks to referee Taylor for standing strong.

The decision to substitute Woodgate immediately after clearly played a role in McCarthy's post-game outburst but his criticism is not backed-up by sufficient evidence.

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool (05.12.2011)

Kevin Friend is a Premier League new boy but has so far enjoyed a reasonably uncontroversial start to this time in the top division.

He was, however, tested during this well-fought encounter and had several critical decisions to make in a match that was otherwise fair and competitive.

Adam - Penalty or No Penalty?
Fulham were attacking when they lost the ball and a quick Liverpool break seemed sure to end in a goal. Philippe Senderos was chasing Charlie Adam (who ought to have passed to his left to a free Liverpool player), and eventually fouled him, clipping his legs from behind. The end result was a free-kick and yellow card.

The yellow card was undoubtedly correct as Adam was not presented with a clear opportunity to score. Other Fulham defenders had retreated and there was no clear shot on. The major talking point was if the foul was in or outside the box: Friend used the assistant referee to eventually give a free-kick, and on replays it looks the correct decision.

Adam fell well inside the area and there were two periods of contact - on his back and then legs. But even the latter occurred outside the box and a very tight decision was called correctly - a big plus for the referee team, given their status as freshers.

Jay Spearing - Red Card or No Red Card?
Spearing's dismissal came out of the blue: a relatively clean game was suddenly turned on its head. Even the television cameras had moved away from the incident when Spearing came through and seemed to win the ball from Moussa Dembele.

Suddenly the camera pulled back and Dembele was in a mighty heap and Friend had pulled his red card out. Replays showed Spearing had followed through and caught Dembele high up on the calf.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish summed it up well, "Sometimes it's a red, sometimes it's not." By the letter of the law, a red card was the correct decision. The tackle was hard and uncontrolled - the distinction had to be made between reckless and excessive force. Friend took his time and decided that the tackle offered enough danger to the player. Another day it might have been yellow, but referees are correct in dismissing players guilty of such offences as such wild tackles can lead to serious injury.