donaldstott

He does graze the top of the ball with his right foot and you can see a slight change of direction in the ball. Regardless, the rules state: “Using excessive force” means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent. • A player who uses excessive force must be sent off" "But I won the ball ref" doesn't really come in to it anymore.

Agreed. For my money, this decision sets a precedent that no decision will be overturned - otherwise you're re-refereeing. To say "he saw it but not the full extent of it" is utter nonesense. As a referee you can't guess, so he either saw it and was able to make a judgement or he didn't see it. In this case he didn't see it, so they should be taking retrospective action.

I really don't understand the negativity towards Pardew. It's European football, you do what you have to do to win the tie. Pardew clearly fancies us to beat them at home. It says a lot about the team and the squad that they have the ability to go away from home to a team as good as Anzhi and achieve the objective and comfortably keep them out. It was a very professional/grown up performance.

Spurs looked very dangerous last night. I can't see past them for a winner.

It would be easier, but not sure that the average fan would want to go back to seeing perfectly good goals chalked off because players are standing in a completely inactive offside position. Watching the flag go up for Cisse preventing a Ben Arfa 25 yard screamer of the season from counting for the 5th time in a season would be a frustration.

Someone needs to do some penalty stats on him. Is he still yet to miss from the spot?

Injuries?? Edit: ignore that Neither looked that bad tbh.

Both look good acquisitions, back four were really solid. Shola had a good game too, he has matured to the extent where he doesn't make mistakes, he barely gives the ball away.

I refereed him in a charity five a side tournament up at Prospect Park. He spent all day there, seemed like a nice guy.

Looked a tired second half display. Tottenham played sissoko well didn't give him any room. Result was probably about fair.

That video looks a bit nasty. Regardless of Debuchy I'd be offering him a new contract to be honest. Good squad member and a good defender. It would be stupid to let him leave and leave us in the same position as previously, with one RB on the books. Depends whether Raylor comes back OK I guess.

This. Jonas used to be an outlet, in fact Jonas was our best outlet. Give him the ball in a tight space and he'd either beat a man or hold up the ball or win a (usually dubious) free kick. At this point in time we're not able to rely on him for this. He's bereft of confidence as the two hideous miscontrols in the second half demonstrated.

Difficult game to referee, I think he actually did well, it was a pen and a very unnecessary challenge.

Pardew clearly trying to play jonas through a very sustained drop in form. Made a big show of him after the final whistle. It's a gamble it was like plying with 10 men at times.

I'm all about style over substance..

Had 9 round for Burns night dinner. Haggis, neeps and tatties. Lush

On the theme of excellent ways to utilise the leftover Sunday roast. I made a jambalaya last night. Super tasty and a piece of piss to make. Loosely followed this: http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/one-pot-meals/chicken-jambalaya.html

Does cabaye know benzema?

Debuchy did serve one up on a platter for cisse mind. That should have been one more assist than Simmo has managed in three years!

Jesus, I'd blanked that moment out entirely.

Two fucking hideous substitutions totally handed reading the initiative. I understand cabaye as hes not fit, but marveaux looked decent.

I watched ESPN's French football highlights last night and a 17 year old striker called Corentin Jean caught my eye. Plays for Troyes and despite snatching at a number of chances, he looked an awesome prospect. Get watching Mr Carr. You heard it here first.

He had been left 2 on 1 at he back post. My view was he'd done well to jump in to holt to put him off.

San Lorenzo apparently suggesting they'll only sign him if his contract is rescinded. Nee change of FMA letting him go for nowt, which leaves the only option for Colo to buy himself out of his contract. That'll test how intent he is to leave!!

I thought footballer's wives were uniformly of the opinion that turning a blind eye to a cheating husband is a pre-requisite of the job. Until such time as they retire and they knick off with half the career earnings.