I am still fuming over Chelsea FC’s disappointing performance against Swansea on Saturday, although I must admit that I have been somewhat consoled by West Ham’s marvelous 2-0 thrashing of Arsenal on Sunday and the attendant Petr Cech criticism that followed it (guess he isn’t worth 12-15 points after all!).
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I could talk about Mourinho’s bizarre decision to play high-line using probably 2 of the slowest defenders in EPL history or the numerous failed attempts by both culprits to spring the offside trap against Bafétimbi Gomis. I could also talk about another poor performance by Francesc Fabregas or Willian’s annoying habit of dilly-dallying on the ball when the team’s trying to play at a faster pace.
I could talk about another hilarious defensive performance by Branislav Ivanovic, who was tormented by Jefferson Montero (I won’t be surprised if the poor Serbian still has nightmares involving balls and Montero!)
Unfortunately, those events have left wounds so raw that talking about them makes me want to write lots of unprintable stuff, so I would rather not. But what I do want to talk about is Mike Oliver’s performance (or lack of) on that fateful Saturday evening.
Now, there were 3 major talking points involving Mike Oliver, all of which were against Chelsea FC, and I would like to take each one of them in relation to similar incidents that occurred last season.
Next: Costa's Penalty Shout
Diego Costa’s Penalty Shout
In the first half, Diego Costa was brought down in the 18-yard box by Federico Fernandez while bearing down on goal. Granted, the Argentinian did make contact with the ball, but he replays show that he clearly made contact with Costa’s ankle before getting to the ball. Many have argued that Mike Oliver made the right call by not awarding Chelsea FC a penalty, but comparing this incident to one that occurred last season makes you question the consistency of officiating decisions, especially when it involves Chelsea FC.
The game in question was the EPL home game against Southampton FC where Chelsea were penalized for a foul by Nemaja Matic on Saido Mane inside the 18-yard box. Matic got to the ball, but the penalty was awarded by Mike Dean because he went through Mane to get to it. He was even booked in the process. So if that decision (for which Mike Dean was widely lauded) was considered a correct decision, how is it that Mike Oliver is being praised for not awarding a penalty for a similar offense?
Next: Courtois's Red
Thibaut Courtois’s Red Card
I say Thibaut Courtois’ red card because the awarded penalty could easily have going either way, as even replays of the incident are still inconclusive as to whether the foul was committed inside or outside the 18-yard box. However, there is no questioning the fact that Thibaut Courtois did commit a foul on the advancing Bafétimbi Gomis.
But Mike Oliver’s decision to award Courtois a red card was clearly questionable. Video replays indicate that Gary Cahill was clearly in a position to prevent Gomis from scoring if he had managed to successfully get past Courtois. Also, Gomis was actually running AWAY from the goal-post, not towards it. Both situations clearly indicate that Courtois did not foul him to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity, with leaves the assumption that he was red carded for dangerous play.
Now if that foul could be considered dangerous play, how was Ospina’s foul on Oscar not considered same? The foul I am referring to occurred in the EPL away game against Arsenal (which was ironically officiated by Mike Oliver himself) where Oscar was hacked down by the charging David Ospina inside the 18-yard box after reaching Fabregas’ long ball from midfield. Oscar had to be treated for a lengthy spell after the foul, but neither Ospina nor Arsenal were penalized for the incident.
The foul was both dangerous play and preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity, because the closest player, Hector Bellerin, wasn’t even close enough to prevent Oscar from scoring if he had managed to go past Ospina, yet no penalty or booking was awarded.
Next: Williams's Foul
Ashley William’s Foul On Diego Costa
Late in the game, Diego Costa was clearly brought down close to the 18-yard box when played clean through on goal by a fantastic Hazard through ball. While reacting to the through ball, his jersey was clearly tugged by Ashley Williams, who incidentally was the last man. Mike Oliver, in his infinite wisdom, decided there was nothing to it and waved play on.
His decision was quite dubious because if he was sure that there was no contact made on Costa or that the contact made was not strong enough to make him go down, he should have booked the Chelsea striker for simulation. Instead he chose to wave play on, indicating that he saw the foul but was not inclined to call it.
Next: Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
The Mourinho-Carniero controversy has become another major topic of discussion, as almost every issue pertaining to Chelsea FC is. Accusations ranging from sexism to abuse of power have been leveled against Mourinho for his public criticism of Eva Carniero and John Kearn after both members of Chelsea’s medical team went into the pitch to treat Eden Hazard after he stayed down from a Gylfi Sigurdssson challenge late in the game.
Mourinho’s assertion that their naivety almost cost Chelsea the game, as the exit of Hazard from the pitch after treatment ensured that Chelsea had to face a Swansea onslaught with nine men. Now I have to agree with the majority that Mourinho’s claims may have been petty, as both medics were simply responding to the referee’s call.
Now the club’s subsequent decision that Carniero would no longer be attending to player’s on the pitch has drawn widespread criticism, even from many of the club’s own fans. But the fact remains that she disobeyed club rules by going on Facebook to thank the fans for their support, which was actually the basis for her demotion, not her action on the pitch.
Eva Carniero’s predecessor, Ralph Rogers, has come out in defense of the club’s decision in a recent interview with the Daily Mail, citing that Carneiro’s decision comment on the issue on Facebook showed a lack of respect for the club. He has further stated that the club’s decision may have stemmed from other acts of insubordination by the doctor and that observers should not be quick to jump to unnecessary conclusions. But it is not surprising, seeing how Chelsea FC are always being lambasted by the press and other club’s supporters for the slighted of issues.
Whatever, the case may be, until someone can actually prove that Eva Carniero has been unfairly treated by the club, I choose to support the club’s decision on the matter. But I would like to be clear that under no circumstance do I support Mourinho’s decision to call them out in public.
Next: 5 Promising Chelsea FC Players Let Go By Jose Mourinho