EXCLUSIVE: 'Top-class performance' - Keith Hackett on the EPL referees during opening weekend

[h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/coventry-GOvB22xg/?mid=2q2NhX43"]Arsenal vs Coventry City[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee: [/b]Thomas Bramall[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Jarred Gillett[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Gary Beswick[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Matt Wilkes[/p][p][b]Fourth Official: [/b]Adam Herczeg[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Neil Davies[/p][p]"It took until the 28th minute for Thomas Bramall to brandish the first yellow card of the season, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/coventry/GOvB22xg/"]Coventry City[/a]’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/yirenkyi-caleb/INmgLCSF/"]Caleb Yirenkyi[/a] losing his footing in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lewis-skelly-myles/bDeyKrHT/"]Myles Lewis-Skelly[/a], before the Coventry player showed signs of frustration and dragged his opponent back.[/p][p]"It was the correct decision by the referee, who, up until then, had been able to adopt a low-key approach with minimal interference.[/p][embed guid="ca4133f1-40c6-41d5-b272-72441e16f8e2" url="https://x.com/Arsenal/status/2091073115480633645" social-type="twitter" /][p]"Just seven minutes later, the Sky Blues' [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simms-ellis/UDGqf8O6/"]Ellis Simms[/a] beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gabriel/tEcnVXMS/"]Gabriel[/a] on the edge of the penalty area, and the Brazilian tugged him back to earn himself a deserved yellow card.[/p][p]"A very quick review by VAR (Jarred Gillett at Stockley Park) to check for a possible handball determined that there should be no penalty kick, which was another correct decision made on the day by a group of officials who can be very satisfied with their start to the season."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/brentford-xYe7DwID/tottenham-UDg08Ohm/?mid=EPW0kJF8"]Brentford vs Spurs[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee: [/b]Michael Oliver[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee: [/b]John Brooks[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1: [/b]James Mainwaring[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Blake Antrobus[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Samuel Barrott[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Gary Beswick[/p][p]"Not too much to report from the game at the Gtech Community Stadium, with referee Michael Oliver high on confidence after his participation at the World Cup.[/p][embed guid="58f4577a-a440-4d6b-a1f8-6a2fb6db5632" url="https://x.com/BrentfordFC/status/2091533134651130246" social-type="twitter" /][p]"There was little for him to do, other than rightly awarding a penalty kick for a pushing offence. He was ideally positioned and, with no hesitation, pointed to the spot.[/p][p]"A top-class performance."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/hull-S66R0t75/manchester-utd-ppjDR086/?mid=zc0VjBZF"]Hull City vs Manchester United[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee: [/b]Darren England[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Michael Salisbury[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Scott Ledger[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2: [/b]Akil Howson[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Chris Kavanagh[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Paul Howard[/p][p]"Another game in which the official, on this occasion Darren England, delivered a good performance in a game that was easy to manage, with the players behaving well throughout."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ipswich-thqhB2MB/sunderland-WSzc94ws/?mid=Cxf9qTRk"]Ipswich Town vs Sunderland[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee:[/b] Farai Hallam[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Nicholas Hopton[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1: [/b]Adrian Holmes[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Simon Long[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Andy Madley[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official: [/b]Wade Smith[/p][p]"Referee Farai Hallam, who is not long into his Premier League career, again demonstrated that he has a long career ahead of him.[/p][p]"Very fit and mobile, he took up excellent viewing positions in good proximity to play, and barely put a foot wrong. Definitely one to watch in the future."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/crystal-palace-AovF1Mia/everton-KluSTr9s/?mid=rN3wkk4S"]Everton vs Crystal Palace[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee: [/b]Paul Tierney[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Timothy Wood[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Richard West[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Mark Stevens[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Josh Smith[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Adam Nunn[/p][p]"Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a long-standing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] fan, was in attendance at a game in which Palace were lucky to escape a penalty kick after a foul in the area.[/p][image alt="Key match stats" id="c343315c-7dbd-4fb1-b9ac-dd6a96cd73c2" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="f5a4264f-2035-4344-a611-b1837567c17b" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]"A correct offside flag saved the Eagles, with the decision-making from both assistants and referee Paul Tierney first-class on the day.[/p][p]"This was an excellent performance from Tierney, one of the senior EPL referees on the circuit."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/leeds-tUxUbLR2/nottingham-UsushcZr/?mid=pjhHs7d2"]Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee:[/b] Robert Jones[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee: [/b]Craig Pawson[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Nick Greenhalgh[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Alistair Nelson[/p][p][b]Fourth Official: [/b]Gavin Ward[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Ian Hussin[/p][p]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/aina-ola/O28OebFA/"]Ola Aina[/a] was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge in the 18th minute, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nottingham/UsushcZr/"]Forest[/a] player fortunately keeping his leading foot low, and the official therefore correct in producing a yellow.[/p][p]"Referee Jones delivered a performance with a good standard of decision-making throughout, including being in the right position to detect that reckless challenge.[/p][p]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds United[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wilson-harry/KWbu7UwK/"]Harry Wilson[/a] will feel aggrieved that his goal was chalked off, though the offside decision was the correct one."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/manchester-city-Wtn9Stg0/?mid=ILLvry8r"]Manchester City vs Bournemouth[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee: [/b]Jarred Gillett[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Paul Howard[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Neil Davies[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Steven Meredith[/p][p][b]Fourth Official: [/b]Robert Jones[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Blake Antrobus[/p][p]"Evanilson really should have received a yellow card for charging his opponent in the back, referee Gillett taking a lenient approach, which he didn't do when the number nine made a reckless challenge in first-half stoppage time.[/p][p]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/foden-phil/E7XjDJns/"]Phil Foden[/a]'s yellow card in the 78th minute was also the correct decision from the official, as was the one handed to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/silva-antonio/0xBtwxKs/"]Antonio Silva[/a] for dissent.[/p][embed guid="1cac022d-3b65-4bbd-b24e-9dc00a7a69a5" url="https://x.com/ManCity/status/2091584805339034087" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gvardiol-josko/86K1f1fd/"]Josko Gvardiol[/a]'s goal looked to have been ruled out by the assistant's flag, but a VAR check and the semi-automated system clearly showed that the Croatian was onside and the goal stood.[/p][p]"Referee Gillett judged his involvement in the game well. He adopted a low-key approach, showing a willingness to communicate with players and, rather than brandish cards to assert his authority, he showed a degree of tolerance. [/p][p]"A good start to the season for him."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/aston-villa-W00wmLO0/brighton-2XrRecc3/?mid=Mkz9mcpL"]Brighton vs Aston Villa[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee:[/b] Peter Bankes[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] Matt Donohue[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1: [/b]Ian Hussin[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Wade Smith[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Michael Salisbury[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official: [/b]Craig Taylor[/p][p]"Peter Bankes certainly had his work cut out in the early stages of this game, correctly showing three yellow cards between the ninth and 11th minutes for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gross-pascal/trpxfbO3/"]Pascal Gross[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ayari-yasin/vTrnQI0N/"]Yasin Ayari[/a], along with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/joao-gomes/rcOLZhUD/"]Joao Gomes[/a].[/p][p]"Villa's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcginn-john/rgGnzD2e/"]John McGinn[/a] was the next to go in the book just after the half hour, in what was a feisty encounter, and this was followed by a red card for Gomes for violent conduct, after he kicked out with a high boot to the chest area of his opponent.[/p][embed guid="ed1e6b22-a4eb-4d65-ab0f-d1a4a8f3c447" url="https://x.com/BHAFC/status/2091520783147315541" social-type="twitter" /][p]"The second half was much less intense both from a playing and officiating perspective, with a 95th-minute yellow for Matty Cash (reckless challenge), the only time referee Bankes had to reach for a card after the break.[/p][p]"The official kept a firm grip on proceedings, and that approach, particularly in the first half, ensured that he was always in control of this one."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/liverpool-lId4TMwf/newcastle-p6ahwuwJ/?mid=4xKntFxe"]Newcastle United vs Liverpool[/a][/h2][p][b]Referee:[/b] Stuart Attwell[/p][p][b]Video Assistant Referee:[/b] James Bell[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 1:[/b] Constantine Hatzidakis[/p][p][b]Assistant Referee 2:[/b] Lee Betts[/p][p][b]Fourth Official:[/b] Tony Harrington[/p][p][b]Assistant VAR Official:[/b] Edward Smart[/p][p]"Wow, what an atmosphere at St. James' Park. The pre-match recognition of the late Kevin Keegan by the supporters of both teams was terrific. I add my condolences for a player I officiated on many occasions, with our paths also crossing when he went into management. A legend.[/p][p]"The first yellow card of the match didn't arrive until the 25th minute, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wissa-yoane/b35gWzB2/"]Yoane Wissa[/a] penalised for a pull-back that stopped a promising attack. The correct decision by referee Attwell.[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="38396e3d-8e56-40a9-bca9-1624a22bac7e" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="eb26ff86-45b3-4b9d-9b01-4bf9ddff43cf" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]"Prior to half-time, and largely as a result of showing that first yellow, the official was left with little choice other than to card [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kerkez-milos/2H46JAgp/"]Milos Kerkez[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/miley-lewis/nR5TcNGS/"]Lewis Miley[/a] for reckless challenges, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doku-jeremy/lMHcYK4f/"]Jeremy Frimpong[/a] for a clear holding offence (unsporting behaviour).[/p][p]"After the break, Attwell continued to officiate really well, though a yellow card for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ramsey-jacob/URZH6b4K/"]Jacob Ramsey[/a] in the 65th minute, in the context of this match and the laws of the game, was harsh, and the incident could've been managed verbally.[/p][p]"A 79th-minute yellow card for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/murphy-jacob/b5WYEjtm/"]Jacob Murphy[/a] and an 89th-minute advantage played were both terrific decisions, whilst the bookings for both [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-dijk-virgil/U59RNqOr/"]Virgil van Dijk[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hornicek-lukas/4xGGcozp/"]Lukas Hornicek[/a] were also correct."[/p][h2]How were the new laws interpreted on opening weekend?[/h2][p]"The opening games of the new season of the English Premier League got off to a good start.[/p][p]"The new laws introduced to assist the positive flow of the game have worked extremely well, and it is hoped that referees will continue to ensure that they remain that way throughout the season.[/p][p]"When the substitution boards were raised, we witnessed the swift exchange of players.[/p][p]"Throw-ins and goal kicks with the five-second countdown applied have resulted in a positive response from the player in possession of the ball.[/p][p]"Failure to meet the five-second throw-in timing will result in the throw-in being awarded to the opposition, and where the goal kick exceeds the five-second countdown by the referee, it will result in the award of a corner kick to the opposition.[/p][p]"Over the weekend, I haven't witnessed the goalkeepers go down feigning injury to allow for a communication of a change of tactics by the offending team, and that can only be a positive."[/p][infobox id="8a8311c3-81b3-440e-8b49-36091db073d1" /]