It looked like a shoulder barge to me. He was just stronger. If you give that, then you have to give the Gray one. I just don't understand why some referees just side with a particular team on the day, as he blatantly engineered the game West Ham's way today.
This sums up my feelings pretty well to be honest. But I hope to all hopes and prey to all the gods I don't believe in that we can at least make a game of the final.
From where we were sat in the Rookery it never looked like a sending off and it ultimately changed the game. We had a couple of penalty shouts as well which I wouldnt mind seeing again. I wouldnt mind seeing their 2nd goal again as well, shouts of offside? All in all the officials had a bit of a stinker - the signs were there early on when sian messey randomly awarded west ham a throw in despite their player kicking the ball off right in front of her. I really am looking forward to VAR coming in. Agree regarding Kiko, a bad day at the office from him and we can have no complaints for the pen he gave away. It was a funny game really as I thought we were much the better side for large periods of the game and the score certainly flatters west ham. We failed to take the chances we created while conceading against the run of play.
There were a few tackles flying around Capoue also made a stupid one near the end which could have been red not yellow! Disappointing that Holibas will probably miss the final, but the rules (re missing the final) should be changed (which they were once) had he made the tackle in the box he would have conceded a penalty and got a yellow!
Fair to say had that been a foul on Kiko by Antonio for example we would have expected a penalty! No-one complained which says it all. Certainly more of a push than what Holebas was sent off for....
Disappointing we have thrown away a great chance of finishing best of the rest with ridiculous defending early on against arsenal and wolves, harsh sendings off for Deeney and Homebase both by the linesman. Thought we played well today for much o the game when in position but done again for pace a bit like the Bournemouth game. Too much trying to force the perfect goal with flicks and intricate passing rather than taking shots early or putting simple balls in. Bit fed up
Completely agree and its been something of a theme this season. Agree regarding the signings. We knew coming into the season these were areas of weakness and so it proved. If we want to take the next step then they need addressing. I wouldnt agree that we have looked **** recently, if anything we have played quite well but individual errors, soft defending at the wrong time and a failure to take any of the chances we create have cost us. In fairness that is an exaggeration. Considering this league is supposed to be the best and biggest in the world, the officiating to very poor. Will the club appeal the red card? I feel for Holebas, it didnt look a red and he looked absolutely gutted. Not sure it was a penalty on Gray in all fairness. Would need to see it again though. Liekwise there was a strong shout for hand ball moments earlier. We can have no complaints about the penalty Kiko gave away - it was pretty blatant. +1 to this
The only thing that put a smile on my face was the 2 dildos that flew onto the pitch when West Ham got their third. One was a suction cup number which a West Ham player waved about a bit. The other was a simpler model, which the ref gingerly picked up and threw off the pitch.
I think when you catch the highlights you’ll see it wasn’t a shoulder barge. Kiko was off balance and just sort of bundled into Antonio at waist height.
With regards to the 8 goals Chelsea could have scored in the second half, that is not an exaggeration. Foster had to make three brilliant saves, from Hazard, Pedro, Higuaín and Giroud missed two sitters. All that was in the second half plus the three they scored. It was an appalling defensive second half performance.
You have to take your measure from somewhere. If the Gray foul was not a penalty, then the Kiko challenge could not be a penalty either. It's a case of we're the smaller club so it doesn't matter if you give this type of decision. It's the same for Cardiff, Burnley etc. It's rare a big side would get so many decisions against them ,especially at home. When it comes to the likes of Watford, there is just no jeopardy for the official.
I’ve just watched the short highlights on the Sky app. First two goals were worse than I remembered defensively. First goal - Kabasele embarrassingly turned after lunging in unnecessarily. Think he realises he’d dropped off too far and over-compensated once he’d closed the gap. Capoue might have put more pressure on Noble as well. Second goal - Calamitous defending all round. Kabasele initially not strong enough against Antonio. Cathcart then with a clearance that was more up than out. Then again Kabasele, then Kiko, again not strong enough to stop Antonio getting a shot away. Fantastic save by Foster but free header for Lanzini. Frustratingly in getting sucked in with Antonio the one man who might have followed Lanzini in for the rebound (Kiko) was out of the picture. Kabasele probably benched himself for the cup final. Kiko should probably sit it out too in favour of Janmaat.
I haven’t seen the Gray one again but, if it’s the one I’m thinking of, I was watching the feet as they went towards the goal line and I felt the West Ham defender tackled from the ‘wrong’ side and had to go the through Gray to get at the ball. I didn’t really consider whether he was bundled over.
Goals no.2 and 3 were both rebounds. West Ham wanted it more. They were first to react to the situation. This has been a big problem. We only have Prodl who is an unused option for the cup final. Mapps, Cathcart and Kabs are so out of form, that I wouldn't consider any of them for the final. Clearly they are going to have to play, but it's just going to be embarrassing.
Was that the one where Gray mis-controlled the ball again when a good touch might have put him on with a shot on goal? Mind you Pereyra in the first half and GD in the 2nd had great chances to do that and passed instead!
Thing is, Chelsea, Manure, Arsenal, today, how often can you say that we've been the better side and ended up being beaten (often comfortably) before you have to acknowledge that consistent defensive errors and poor finishing are weaknesses rather than bad luck or referees.
Totally agree. In a way, this collapse may even be a good thing. You cannot paper over the obvious. The club will have to invest or else this type of thing will keep occurring. Kabs, Cathcart and Mapps are not good enough as your first choice central defenders. This is number one fix next season and we do need a significant upgrade on these three. I'd like to see two incoming and maybe move on Kabs. We'd probably get a bit of money for him as well. Up front, is also a problem. We often play well, certainly at the start of games, but do not punish teams and end up counting the cost. Some of the decisions we make are ludicrous. We just don't shoot enough. We're always looking to pass it. Some one take a shot FFS. Take some responsibility.
The Holebas sending off today was a great example of why VAR will change nothing when it comes to fouls next season. The hulking Antonio, who was able to plough through our defence earlier with players bouncing off him, felt a touch on his shoulder and promptly collapsed hoping for a free kick. The officials saw the touch and that was solely what the decision was based on. I expect any review panel, or VAR next year, to follow the same line. I have nothing against Antonio, who I think is a good player, because they all do it now due to weak refereeing. Another example was Grealish going down for Villa’s penalty yesterday. The commentators accepted it was a ‘clear penalty’ but what was clear was that Grealish collapsed before there was any contact from the defender. The fact there was subsequent contact however means that a penalty is always given in that situation.
As gutted as the 38 mascots he's refused to take out on the pitch this season and the many more kids he's refused to sign a shirt for? Good, **** him the ignorant cūnt
..….also forgot to mention the offside goal for Duelofeu after only 30 seconds. I'm sure had City scored that the goal would have stood.
Anyone know what/who this is about? Edit: Read the quoted post fully now so realise who it's referring to
Holebas is a miserable git, who hates giving something to the fans, especially the youngsters. I think that about sums it up. Thought that was old news though. If that's the case, I've certainly experienced this myself when dealing with him and young fans. Just didn't want to know. Pretends to not hear you talking to him, then puts his ear phones on.
I knew he was a miserable sod; didn't realise his "charms" extended to how he treated the youngsters. Lovely.
