If we officiate the game by the textbook, then yes.. both were penalties and Agger correctly received a red card (albeit, one could argue that the Agger foul began just outside the box). By the textbook, yes we could say the game was lost due to our failings. However, the reality is, football is not played by the textbook.
This is why we call them "soft" and "harsh" decisions. The norm is that these incidents would not have warranted penalties and a red card. Most referree decisions would not have gone that way at all. It's the inconsistency that makes these decisions controversial. This is game 1 - How many times will we see other fouls from the last defender which do not result in a red card this season? How many times will we see the slightest clip of the foot not result in a penalty?? and more so, how many times do we see these decisions go against Liverpool? (and for that matter, the amount of times Man Utd receive favourable treatment).
Phil Dowd was determined to see Liverpool lose out yesterday. I've not watched a premier league game with such dubious decisions for many years.
* Yellow card for Glen Johnson (I can understand.. but the fact that other similar tackles from West Brom were not carded makes it harsh)
* Yellow card for Suarez (ridiculous. He threw his hand up in frustration.. but we see that all the time. Long did exactly the same thing when he thought he was fouled infront of the linesman.. and he didn't receive a yellow!)
* Yellow card for Lucas (a joke. The slightest touch on the arm, and his man went down..)
* Red card for Agger ("technically" yes, but as above, harsh given that so many times this would barely receive a yellow. He didn't take out his man. He just leant on Long's back.. and Long tumbled)
* 1st penalty (fine if in area (albeit Long went down for it) but dubious nonetheless)
* 2nd penalty (looked to me like this was to make up for the fact that Long missed! 'give them another chance' Very, very soft!)
Are referees ever investigated? Phil Dowd looked like he was a man on a mission..
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