Exeter City 2-2 Liverpool (7.55pm, Friday 8 January)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referees: John Brooks & David Bryan
Fourth Official: Tim Robinson
Blog Observer: Harry (ENG)
Remarks: Stuart Attwell was certainly a surprising choice for arguably the most high profile match of the round. He refereed his Premier League match at the tender age of twenty-five, but his case is one that is certainly one that shows the danger of 'fast-tracking' match officials. After a four year stint among the 'Select Group' of Premier League referees he was unceremoniously demoted back to the Football League in 2012. He has been slowly working his way back up to the top of England's referee ladder in the Football League (where he has proved to be among the best, joining A Madley & P Tierney et al.), and tonight's match was maybe a very important juncture in deciding whether he would be promoted again to the Select Group. This is probably his biggest match since the Under-19 European Championship Final of 2011 in Chiajna, another referee at that championship was Clément Turpin...
Attwell tonight for my taste delivered a very good performance. He dealt with all the penalty situations well, especially in some situations where with the naked eye it seemed he missed a penalty. The only potential blemish in this regard could be a potential penalty before LVP scored for 1-1, however I think not awarding a penalty was an acceptable decison (or signalling an advanatage)- but either way LVP did receive an advantage anyway in the equaliser!
In terms of cards Attwell issued none this evening! Moreover I could not find any situations where he missed a mandatory caution (or sending off!). There were a couple of situations where the referee could have opted for a YC however decided not to, which proved to be a good decisions as the referee remained in control. This also testament surely to his soft skills
Other officials performed well, especially AR1 Brooks who is proving to one of the best ARs in England at time of writing!
Overall Stuart Attwell showed a good performance in a match which presented a few challenges, and took all the crucial decisions correctly. This surely can only have a positive impact on Attwell's future appointments. 4.0
Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa (12:45pm, Saturday 9 January)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistant Referees: Michael Salisbury & Steve Child
Fourth Official: Stephen Martin
Blog Observer: Giovanni (ITA)
Remarks:
Arsenal v Sunderland (3:00pm, Saturday 9 January)
Referee Martin Atkinson
Assistant Referees Mark Scholes & Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official Lee Collins
Blog Observer: Harry (ENG)
Remarks: For Martin Atkinson, 2015 was a breakthrough year. Much improved performances, combined also with a thinner UEFA Elite Group, saw the Englishman given a UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, and a UEFA Europa League in Warsaw- where he applauded by both sets of spectators as he collected his medal. On a domestic front Atkinson was again given many of the top fixtures in English football. A completely regular appointment in North London.
Martin Atkinson again displayed a good performance in an easy match. His foul selection was good, however the most important decision was taken at 3-1 when he rejected a penalty appeal from ARL#12. From my position in the stands my initial reaction was penalty, however I was slightly blocked, and I would back Atkinson on the decision given his close proximity to the incident.
He issued no disciplinary actions this evening, and none were required, possibly minus a YC for 'SPA' in additional time in the second half. He again showed a very good personality which helped control the match.
Overall Martin Atkinson performed well in a match where he wasn't really challenged. This can only have a positive influence in his future appointments for my taste. 3.5
Manchester United v Sheffield United (5.30pm, Saturday 9 January)
Referee Andre Marriner
Assistant Referees Adam Nunn & Stuart Burt
Fourth Official James Adcock
Blog Observer: Giovanni (ITA)
Remarks:
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