The assistant on the near side was dreadful...

...was amazed that Joe Cole and the other Chelsea players managed to restrain himself from getting booked after the third corner / goal-kick decision went against them.

The whole sending off incident was sparked by Tevez's signalling to his team-mates to 'box in' Chelsea before they took the throw (which I think they were entitled to do - given Chelsea's earlier childishness in returning the ball to United after they kicked it out for Chelsea players to receive treatment).

Also, I didn't realise you could now halt your run-up to a penalty - it's not an offence in itself anymore, although a player may be cautioned if the referee deems it to be unsporting. Suppose it would have been unfair to book Ronaldo having just missed, mind!

Posted By: Declan, May 22, 10:17:20