Raheem Sterling

[Rigadon]

Played his way back into the England WC squad. He's been tw'ific.

[McDermotX]

Agree to disagree on the foul part...........if it was the other way, we'd be screaming blue murder.
Cannot stand seeing penos given for such levels of contact regardless of whatever the current climate of peno award decision-making is. It's very frustrating to see 'contact' equated to' foul', and wish the officials would do a better job in interpreting situations such as what happened today.
He 'won' the peno, which is about the kindest way I could look at it.

Having said that, it's the one negative (albeit one, I'm sorry to say, I'm glad as a fan we profited from) from an excellent display.

[baitman]

the defender did step across him and then kind of levered him over as he stepped and turned. there was no kick or trip with the foot, so refs and replays can get fooled, but there was no attempt to play the ball, just to take the man out. just because it was done with less than aggressive contact he still knew he was blocking off sterling.
penalty.

[Shaggy]

I didn't think it was a pen either. Normally I'm screaming for them even when they're not but I sort of winced a little bit when he gave it. Then went mental.

[Phoenix07]

Brendan called it a "Spanish penalty".

[dww]

Agree to disagree on the foul part...........if it was the other way, we'd be screaming blue murder.
Cannot stand seeing penos given for such levels of contact regardless of whatever the current climate of peno award decision-making is. It's very frustrating to see 'contact' equated to' foul', and wish the officials would do a better job in interpreting situations such as what happened today.
He 'won' the peno, which is about the kindest way I could look at it.

Having said that, it's the one negative (albeit one, I'm sorry to say, I'm glad as a fan we profited from) from an excellent display.

I think it would generally be given outside of the area. Defender was nowhere near the ball. Whilst I don't like it, I think Sterling did the professional thing going down there.

Referees are given a hard job given that fans/players/managers apply very subjective views on what should constitute a penalty.

[Rigadon]

Brendan called it a "Spanish penalty".

It was a penalty. Why the inquisition?

[baitman]

I think it would be generally given outside of the area. Defender was nowhere near the ball. Whilst I don't like it I think Sterling did the professional thing going down there.

after the penalty one of the stoke players was taken out by one of ours in exactly the same way. i cant remember who, but it was in open play and the ref gave the foul. im sure someone can check it.

[McDermotX]

after the penalty one of the stoke players was taken out by one of ours in exactly the same way. i cant remember who, but it was in open play and the ref gave the foul. im sure someone can check it.

I do recall that, if it's the same one it was near to the touch line very soon after, but it was in no way the exact same IMO.

Bottom line is, if you cannot separate your bias (in general, not yourself baitman) in falling in with whether a decision should stand or not..........you only need to ask yourself, hand on heart, if you would agree with it up the other end ?

[Red_Polo]

Adam's challenge on Sterling?

I thought it was a dive I must admit. Then watched the replay and thought it was a pen, only just.

[ChesterDave]

Felt the contact and went down, but definite contact and nowhere near the ball.

Shouldn't have given the ref the decision, Sterling was getting nowhere near the ball he knocked forward - imo.

[Kenneth]

He wasn't 'going nowhere', he was doing what he often does which is making as though he thinks he's beaten his man and is crossing but knocking is passed to the byline for the cross. Definite penalty for me but needed a replay to see it properly.

[baitman]

the other one was cissoko on adam, just outside our box, maybe a little less subtle, and he got a yellow card for it.
it took more of a thigh shove for cissoko to lever adam as his is a bit more of a pudding that sterling, the wee borrower.

[baitman]

I do recall that, if it's the same one it was near to the touch line very soon after, but it was in no way the exact same IMO.

Bottom line is, if you cannot separate your bias (in general, not yourself baitman) in falling in with whether a decision should stand or not..........you only need to ask yourself, hand on heart, if you would agree with it up the other end ?

[I, Ravel Morrison]

He's really upped his standard lately,one of him or Coutinho was facing the chop for Sturridge,he's making sure it isn't him.

Despite his goal-shy antics, I wouldn't take Coutinho off for Sturridge as well. I'd like to see a powerful defensive midfielder brought in who can enable use to play with a 2-man centre midfield.