Premier League

Referees' chief Howard Webb has given his verdict on Doku's alleged foul on Mac Allister
Incident occurred in the 98th minute of Liverpool 1-1 Man City this month
Decision could have huge impact on Premier League title race

By Jack Gallagher
10:00 AM GMT
A penalty was not awarded
A penalty was not awarded / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages
Referees' chief Howard Webb has insisted VAR was right not to intervene and award a penalty in added time at the end of Liverpool's controversial 1-1 draw with Manchester City earlier this month.

Liverpool fans were left furious with their side not being given an opportunity to win this potential title showdown from the spot in added time when a rash high boot from Jeremy Doku caught Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty area. After the game, manager Jurgen Klopp labelled the incident "100% a foul", while Mac Allister called the decision not to award a penalty a "mistake" by referee Michael Oliver.

Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up this week however, PGMOL chief refereeing officer Webb came out in defence of Oliver and VAR official Stuart Attwell, insisting that the right decision was made.

"If the referee gives it on the field, it would have been a check complete by the VAR and equally, having not given it, it's also check complete," Webb said. "You hear Michael Oliver say the ball's in between two players going together. The ball is too low to head. Doku, lifts his foot to play the ball, and he does make contact on the ball.

Jeremy Doku, Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool were not happy with the decision / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages
"And yes, we know there's some contact on Mac Allister as well, Mac Allister comes into him, Mac Allister is not really playing the ball either. So, I understand why it's split opinion.

"I think it would have been checked complete either way, not wanting to to re-referee the gaming situations that are not really clear which is what we think the VAR is is for in this situation. The VAR stays out of it. I think that is what we would we would expect."

Webb added: "You want to to know with clarity, with certainty that you're making the right decision. You know, you don't always have sufficient information in the moment to make that decision.

"Clearly, Michael didn't have it in this situation. And then the VAR looks at it and doesn't see a clear and obvious situation. You see something that's pretty subjective and therefore stays out of it, and the feedback we've had from people within the game is that this is a pretty subjective situation, it's split opinion.

"So on that basis, the VAR, you know, working to that high threshold kind of followed the kind of the right course in not getting involved."

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I might give her a game in goal – Emma Hayes hails Sjoeke Nusken’s versatility

Emma Hayes hailed Sjoeke Nusken after the German scored her second brace in as many games during Chelsea’s 3-0 first-leg victory over Ajax in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The versatile forward came into the game on a high from her double in the Blues’ 3-1 win over title rivals Arsenal in the Women’s Super League on Friday.

Her double came after England winger Lauren James scored the opener at Johan Cruijff ArenA.

“Nusken has a natural ability to be in the right spaces inside the box,” Hayes said.

“She’s a box player, no question. She wants to be there, and the third goal epitomised her desire, her positioning and her quality.

“I might give her a game in goal as well next week, just to try it out.”

Chelsea’s advantage keeps their quadruple hopes alive and gives them a cushion going into the second leg later this month at Stamford Bridge.

Hayes expects Ajax to deliver an improved performance in that tie.

She said: “When you’re used to European competition you know they’re two very different games. When you go away and you win games like this, the brain gets a little bit relaxed. You go home and you see an opposite performance.

“I felt that when we played Lyon last year – we went away and it was a disciplined performance. We went home and Lyon were the dominant side even though we went through. We need to heed that warning and share that experience with the players.”

Guro Reiten had a goal chalked off for offside and Hayes credited VAR for the decisions during the match.

She said: “The players carried out the game plan in and out of possession the way we wanted and it was good to experience VAR for the right reasons.

“I’ve always wanted VAR for big decisions, and it showed tonight that it was important and both big VAR decisions were correct.”

Gary Rowett new interim Birmingham boss after Tony Mowbray extends medical leave

Former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett has returned to the club as interim boss after Tony Mowbray was granted extended medical leave.

Ex-Sunderland boss Mowbray succeeded Wayne Rooney at St Andrews in January, but a month later he temporarily stepped down from his role to undergo medical treatment, with a view to returning in approximately six to eight weeks.

But Mowbray will now be absent until the start of pre-season, paving the way for Rowett to return to the club where he had a two-year spell in charge between 2014 and 2016.

Rowett left his new club’s Championship relegation rivals Millwall in October and takes over a Blues side only outside the bottom three on goal difference with eight games remaining.

Mowbray played a role in Rowett’s appointment.

Birmingham co-owner and chairman of the board Tom Wagner said in a statement on the club website: “Based on Tony’s decision to take some additional time away, we agreed it is in the club’s best interests to appoint Gary Rowett to lead the team forward from the touchline for the final eight games of the season. 

“Gary is an experienced leader and has our full support.”

Assistant Mark Venus will also temporarily leave the club and return with Mowbray, while first-team coaches Ashley Cole and Peter Shuttleworth as well as goalkeeper coach Maik Taylor will remain in their positions.

Rowett will be on the touchline for Birmingham’s clash against fellow strugglers QPR next week.