Had a clearly reckless tackle in midfield in which Kevin Friend played a pretty easy advantage but I wanted to give him credit for coming back and cautioning because play continued for a good 2 to 2 1/2 minutes before going out of play. Too often (IMO) refs seem to ignore a clear caution because play continued for a long period of time. Also, Mr. Friend is looking very fit. Summer training with Salazar?
Ivonovic off for SFP in 43rd minute. I thought it was a good tackle live but replay shows it was a fantastic decision. Three match ban upcoming for the Chelsea RB.
Red card for Ivanovich. I have to agree with it. His left foot was too high for me to justify only a yellow.
Any comments on the rest of Mr. Friend's performance? No problems with the red for Ivan but it did seem Man C's tactic was to hack down players and when there was retaliation, Chelsea was shown a card. Kompany also had a last defender-type fould that wasn't cautioned.
I will say I was only half watching the game while working on my computer. But from the cautions I saw(mainly on the replays they showed) I agree with most of them, the exception being Lampard's. I did see tackle right at the end by a Chelsea player where he basically body checked Aguero off the ball in a similar manner to what got Vincent Kompany booked but Kevin Friend let go with a talking to. If I remember right it would have been the Chelsea player's 2nd booking. I disagree with not giving that card. But as for the rest of the non-cards or tactics by City I didn't watch it enough.
Yep, that has to be a caution on the Chelsea player. Same play was called on Kompany earlier in the game, and Kompany's didn't look to be all that tactical, while this one was def tactical. The keeper was out of the goal for crying out loud and the Chelsea player made no attempt on the ball. Clear YC, and it should have been sanctioned.
Turns out he won't be suspended. FA says its not a first team match. Video if you haven't see it. 1:40 http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video/?vid=7987eed2-540a-4046-a5ca-cee9131821bf
Agreed - ref was in the right position, good view, acted quickly and calmly on the send off. Nicely done.
I would venture a guess that not one of those players (or staffs) remembered that they had changed the suspension rule on the pre-season games. If there is no penalty for the red card beyond that game, I don't think I would want to be playing in that match. (Too dangerous!!!)
