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Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United - we all know what happened, now. Writing this after having sat through the full-90-minutes (thanks to SkySports), I have mixed opinions of what exactly to make of this match; being a United fan.
From our point of view, given the current situation of both teams (and how Arsenal have been playing all-season-long), I think it's safe to say things really could've been a lot worse for us, on the day. We've got a point. Thanks to Louis Saha's strike, we denied Arséne Wenger's side an extra two. Rio Ferdinand is just one-player from a team of eleven-men - our time is not coming to an end, just yet!
I (like many other Red Devils) may be pretty 'satisfied' with the result we got from the fast-paced madness of another top-of-the-table clash at Highbury, but, for as hard as our team did work to win-back what lost particles of respect we could grab at, I have to say that, yet again, I feel we were severely let-down by the ever-erratic "descision-making" of the modern-day top-flight referee.
In this case, it was Graham Poll - a man who had not taken charge of this heavyweight fixture for the best part of 2 years, until today. After all the "mis-handling" that went on the last time this game was in his hands, there was always going to be the chance of 'something fishy' going on for at least one of the many `talking-points´ than occur at such a stage as this.
The 2 goals; there was nothing wrong there. They both should've stood, and did. This is where the referee got it right...
When you look at some of the other things he did, however, it does seem like he was, at times, acting in favour of one-side over the other. No, I'm suggesting he was bias in his "Arsenal-favouring" ways, like when he denied us a clear penalty (the Campbell-on-Giggs one). Arsenal had a fair-shout for a spot-kick soon-after when Henry went down, anyway, and that one wasn't given, either. You see, to me - and this is something I've seen appearing in a number of Big Premier League games this season - Mr.Poll acted out like he was trying to make these "allowances" in favour of equalling things for the other team, after a recent descision he had made, which, after extra time to consider things, he now realises was a little over-the-top.
Let's take Paul Scholes' yellow-card, for the prime example. There he was with his mis-timed challenege... And, as poorly-judged as it ever-so-slightly was, many will - and, on the day, did - agree that it warranted nothing more than the free-kick that was given in Arsenal's favour. United were not happy with it and neither were the fans. And Paul Scholes, for one, knew he now had to tread every-single crack very-carefuly for the remainder of this high-paced, all-action, Title-deciding game between 2 arch-enemeies; or else, his side could be down to ten-men.
It happened very early in the game, and, after only a few extra seconds to think about it after the incident, I reckon Graham Poll realised he had gone a little too-far. That is why (or so, I think) he later let Roy Keane get-away scot-free with a more vicious lunge on an old enemy which was clearly crying-out for the card to be waved.
Do you see how he was making-up for the Scholes mistake by NOT punishing Roy Keane; doing United a nice favour in return? This isn't how football should be run...
I mean, just for a minute, imagine what would've happened had Keane later recieved a yellow-card in the second-half, anyway... For the severity of his first challenge, that theoretical second-one should've seen him walk. But, had he been shown that same card a little later instead, he'd be the lucky-boy allowed to continue his dominance over Arsenal's midfield when, clearly, he shouldn't be there.
United would've had the advantage they didn't deserve. United did manage to find an equaliser, but, with all eleven-men, who's to say they couldn't have stolen a winner, denied Arsenal an extra 3 points (instead of just 2) and given Chelsea a real chance of catching the leaders of the Barclycard Premiership?
You never know in football these days. Had it been that slightest-bit different on Sunday, this season's once-predictable Title Race could've begun to open up again, just a little more... And, when team's are playing as well as Chelsea seem to have been lately, and they're prepared to tamper with the game in such a way searching for `Equality´, it could all go horribly-wrong for one-team (and, easily more!) come the end of the season.
I've said this many times before now, but I do feel we really are at the stage in time where the fate of any-one team could be decided thanks to a collection of refereeing errors nobody seems content-enough to do anything about in order to help this growing Cancer of our once-beautiful game. It's clear the referees and third-officials need some form of Help to assist them - we've all know this for a while, now.
But, why are the now trying to even it all out for past mistakes they have made?
If a player's done wrong, he must be punished for it in the appropriate way. Yes, they are 'in-control' of the game, but there are Rules (which they have learnt!) that MUST be followed - they cannot be allowed to try and take matters into their own hands, in such a way as this.
Perhaps they are simply struggling to keep-up with the pace of the game, but don't want to admit it in fear of their "Pride"? And, there, we have another cause for why I feel they do these things; for their own reputations.
Are they, therefore, rushing into making quick-descisions because of this?
I'm sure only an extra few seconds-worth of thought could make all the difference... Believe me, ref's; you're not exactly doing yourselves any favours by trying to make-up-for your mistakes, only making more of them, either!
Two wrongs DON'T make a right!
Yes, I know I'm a little late in reacting to all this, and I know I've ripped the title straight from one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' older tracks; but I feel this is a serious regular occurance in today's game that needs to be looked at. But, what exactly can we do when those with the power seem so undependable?
From our point of view, given the current situation of both teams (and how Arsenal have been playing all-season-long), I think it's safe to say things really could've been a lot worse for us, on the day. We've got a point. Thanks to Louis Saha's strike, we denied Arséne Wenger's side an extra two. Rio Ferdinand is just one-player from a team of eleven-men - our time is not coming to an end, just yet!
I (like many other Red Devils) may be pretty 'satisfied' with the result we got from the fast-paced madness of another top-of-the-table clash at Highbury, but, for as hard as our team did work to win-back what lost particles of respect we could grab at, I have to say that, yet again, I feel we were severely let-down by the ever-erratic "descision-making" of the modern-day top-flight referee.
In this case, it was Graham Poll - a man who had not taken charge of this heavyweight fixture for the best part of 2 years, until today. After all the "mis-handling" that went on the last time this game was in his hands, there was always going to be the chance of 'something fishy' going on for at least one of the many `talking-points´ than occur at such a stage as this.
The 2 goals; there was nothing wrong there. They both should've stood, and did. This is where the referee got it right...
When you look at some of the other things he did, however, it does seem like he was, at times, acting in favour of one-side over the other. No, I'm suggesting he was bias in his "Arsenal-favouring" ways, like when he denied us a clear penalty (the Campbell-on-Giggs one). Arsenal had a fair-shout for a spot-kick soon-after when Henry went down, anyway, and that one wasn't given, either. You see, to me - and this is something I've seen appearing in a number of Big Premier League games this season - Mr.Poll acted out like he was trying to make these "allowances" in favour of equalling things for the other team, after a recent descision he had made, which, after extra time to consider things, he now realises was a little over-the-top.
Let's take Paul Scholes' yellow-card, for the prime example. There he was with his mis-timed challenege... And, as poorly-judged as it ever-so-slightly was, many will - and, on the day, did - agree that it warranted nothing more than the free-kick that was given in Arsenal's favour. United were not happy with it and neither were the fans. And Paul Scholes, for one, knew he now had to tread every-single crack very-carefuly for the remainder of this high-paced, all-action, Title-deciding game between 2 arch-enemeies; or else, his side could be down to ten-men.
It happened very early in the game, and, after only a few extra seconds to think about it after the incident, I reckon Graham Poll realised he had gone a little too-far. That is why (or so, I think) he later let Roy Keane get-away scot-free with a more vicious lunge on an old enemy which was clearly crying-out for the card to be waved.
Do you see how he was making-up for the Scholes mistake by NOT punishing Roy Keane; doing United a nice favour in return? This isn't how football should be run...
I mean, just for a minute, imagine what would've happened had Keane later recieved a yellow-card in the second-half, anyway... For the severity of his first challenge, that theoretical second-one should've seen him walk. But, had he been shown that same card a little later instead, he'd be the lucky-boy allowed to continue his dominance over Arsenal's midfield when, clearly, he shouldn't be there.
United would've had the advantage they didn't deserve. United did manage to find an equaliser, but, with all eleven-men, who's to say they couldn't have stolen a winner, denied Arsenal an extra 3 points (instead of just 2) and given Chelsea a real chance of catching the leaders of the Barclycard Premiership?
You never know in football these days. Had it been that slightest-bit different on Sunday, this season's once-predictable Title Race could've begun to open up again, just a little more... And, when team's are playing as well as Chelsea seem to have been lately, and they're prepared to tamper with the game in such a way searching for `Equality´, it could all go horribly-wrong for one-team (and, easily more!) come the end of the season.
I've said this many times before now, but I do feel we really are at the stage in time where the fate of any-one team could be decided thanks to a collection of refereeing errors nobody seems content-enough to do anything about in order to help this growing Cancer of our once-beautiful game. It's clear the referees and third-officials need some form of Help to assist them - we've all know this for a while, now.
But, why are the now trying to even it all out for past mistakes they have made?
If a player's done wrong, he must be punished for it in the appropriate way. Yes, they are 'in-control' of the game, but there are Rules (which they have learnt!) that MUST be followed - they cannot be allowed to try and take matters into their own hands, in such a way as this.
Perhaps they are simply struggling to keep-up with the pace of the game, but don't want to admit it in fear of their "Pride"? And, there, we have another cause for why I feel they do these things; for their own reputations.
Are they, therefore, rushing into making quick-descisions because of this?
I'm sure only an extra few seconds-worth of thought could make all the difference... Believe me, ref's; you're not exactly doing yourselves any favours by trying to make-up-for your mistakes, only making more of them, either!
Two wrongs DON'T make a right!
Yes, I know I'm a little late in reacting to all this, and I know I've ripped the title straight from one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' older tracks; but I feel this is a serious regular occurance in today's game that needs to be looked at. But, what exactly can we do when those with the power seem so undependable?
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Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United - we all know what happened, now. Writing this after having sat through the full-90-minutes (thanks to SkySports), I have mixed opinions of what exactly to make of this match; being a United fan.
From our point of view, given the current situation of both teams (and how Arsenal have been playing all-season-long), I think it's safe to say things really could've been a lot worse for us, on the day. We've got a point. Thanks to Louis Saha's strike, we denied Arséne Wenger's side an extra two. Rio Ferdinand is just one-player from a team of eleven-men - our time is not coming to an end, just yet!
I (like many other Red Devils) may be pretty 'satisfied' with the result we got from the fast-paced madness of another top-of-the-table clash at Highbury, but, for as hard as our team did work to win-back what lost particles of respect we could grab at, I have to say that, yet again, I feel we were severely let-down by the ever-erratic "descision-making" of the modern-day top-flight referee.
In this case, it was Graham Poll - a man who had not taken charge of this heavyweight fixture for the best part of 2 years, until today. After all the "mis-handling" that went on the last time this game was in his hands, there was always going to be the chance of 'something fishy' going on for at least one of the many `talking-points´ than occur at such a stage as this.
The 2 goals; there was nothing wrong there. They both should've stood, and did. This is where the referee got it right...
When you look at some of the other things he did, however, it does seem like he was, at times, acting in favour of one-side over the other. No, I'm suggesting he was bias in his "Arsenal-favouring" ways, like when he denied us a clear penalty (the Campbell-on-Giggs one). Arsenal had a fair-shout for a spot-kick soon-after when Henry went down, anyway, and that one wasn't given, either. You see, to me - and this is something I've seen appearing in a number of Big Premier League games this season - Mr.Poll acted out like he was trying to make these "allowances" in favour of equalling things for the other team, after a recent descision he had made, which, after extra time to consider things, he now realises was a little over-the-top.
Let's take Paul Scholes' yellow-card, for the prime example. There he was with his mis-timed challenege... And, as poorly-judged as it ever-so-slightly was, many will - and, on the day, did - agree that it warranted nothing more than the free-kick that was given in Arsenal's favour. United were not happy with it and neither were the fans. And Paul Scholes, for one, knew he now had to tread every-single crack very-carefuly for the remainder of this high-paced, all-action, Title-deciding game between 2 arch-enemeies; or else, his side could be down to ten-men.
It happened very early in the game, and, after only a few extra seconds to think about it after the incident, I reckon Graham Poll realised he had gone a little too-far. That is why (or so, I think) he later let Roy Keane get-away scot-free with a more vicious lunge on an old enemy which was clearly crying-out for the card to be waved.
Do you see how he was making-up for the Scholes mistake by NOT punishing Roy Keane; doing United a nice favour in return? This isn't how football should be run...
I mean, just for a minute, imagine what would've happened had Keane later recieved a yellow-card in the second-half, anyway... For the severity of his first challenge, that theoretical second-one should've seen him walk. But, had he been shown that same card a little later instead, he'd be the lucky-boy allowed to continue his dominance over Arsenal's midfield when, clearly, he shouldn't be there.
United would've had the advantage they didn't deserve. United did manage to find an equaliser, but, with all eleven-men, who's to say they couldn't have stolen a winner, denied Arsenal an extra 3 points (instead of just 2) and given Chelsea a real chance of catching the leaders of the Barclycard Premiership?
You never know in football these days. Had it been that slightest-bit different on Sunday, this season's once-predictable Title Race could've begun to open up again, just a little more... And, when team's are playing as well as Chelsea seem to have been lately, and they're prepared to tamper with the game in such a way searching for `Equality´, it could all go horribly-wrong for one-team (and, easily more!) come the end of the season.
I've said this many times before now, but I do feel we really are at the stage in time where the fate of any-one team could be decided thanks to a collection of refereeing errors nobody seems content-enough to do anything about in order to help this growing Cancer of our once-beautiful game. It's clear the referees and third-officials need some form of Help to assist them - we've all know this for a while, now.
But, why are the now trying to even it all out for past mistakes they have made?
If a player's done wrong, he must be punished for it in the appropriate way. Yes, they are 'in-control' of the game, but there are Rules (which they have learnt!) that MUST be followed - they cannot be allowed to try and take matters into their own hands, in such a way as this.
Perhaps they are simply struggling to keep-up with the pace of the game, but don't want to admit it in fear of their "Pride"? And, there, we have another cause for why I feel they do these things; for their own reputations.
Are they, therefore, rushing into making quick-descisions because of this?
I'm sure only an extra few seconds-worth of thought could make all the difference... Believe me, ref's; you're not exactly doing yourselves any favours by trying to make-up-for your mistakes, only making more of them, either!
Two wrongs DON'T make a right!
Yes, I know I'm a little late in reacting to all this, and I know I've ripped the title straight from one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' older tracks; but I feel this is a serious regular occurance in today's game that needs to be looked at. But, what exactly can we do when those with the power seem so undependable?
From our point of view, given the current situation of both teams (and how Arsenal have been playing all-season-long), I think it's safe to say things really could've been a lot worse for us, on the day. We've got a point. Thanks to Louis Saha's strike, we denied Arséne Wenger's side an extra two. Rio Ferdinand is just one-player from a team of eleven-men - our time is not coming to an end, just yet!
I (like many other Red Devils) may be pretty 'satisfied' with the result we got from the fast-paced madness of another top-of-the-table clash at Highbury, but, for as hard as our team did work to win-back what lost particles of respect we could grab at, I have to say that, yet again, I feel we were severely let-down by the ever-erratic "descision-making" of the modern-day top-flight referee.
In this case, it was Graham Poll - a man who had not taken charge of this heavyweight fixture for the best part of 2 years, until today. After all the "mis-handling" that went on the last time this game was in his hands, there was always going to be the chance of 'something fishy' going on for at least one of the many `talking-points´ than occur at such a stage as this.
The 2 goals; there was nothing wrong there. They both should've stood, and did. This is where the referee got it right...
When you look at some of the other things he did, however, it does seem like he was, at times, acting in favour of one-side over the other. No, I'm suggesting he was bias in his "Arsenal-favouring" ways, like when he denied us a clear penalty (the Campbell-on-Giggs one). Arsenal had a fair-shout for a spot-kick soon-after when Henry went down, anyway, and that one wasn't given, either. You see, to me - and this is something I've seen appearing in a number of Big Premier League games this season - Mr.Poll acted out like he was trying to make these "allowances" in favour of equalling things for the other team, after a recent descision he had made, which, after extra time to consider things, he now realises was a little over-the-top.
Let's take Paul Scholes' yellow-card, for the prime example. There he was with his mis-timed challenege... And, as poorly-judged as it ever-so-slightly was, many will - and, on the day, did - agree that it warranted nothing more than the free-kick that was given in Arsenal's favour. United were not happy with it and neither were the fans. And Paul Scholes, for one, knew he now had to tread every-single crack very-carefuly for the remainder of this high-paced, all-action, Title-deciding game between 2 arch-enemeies; or else, his side could be down to ten-men.
It happened very early in the game, and, after only a few extra seconds to think about it after the incident, I reckon Graham Poll realised he had gone a little too-far. That is why (or so, I think) he later let Roy Keane get-away scot-free with a more vicious lunge on an old enemy which was clearly crying-out for the card to be waved.
Do you see how he was making-up for the Scholes mistake by NOT punishing Roy Keane; doing United a nice favour in return? This isn't how football should be run...
I mean, just for a minute, imagine what would've happened had Keane later recieved a yellow-card in the second-half, anyway... For the severity of his first challenge, that theoretical second-one should've seen him walk. But, had he been shown that same card a little later instead, he'd be the lucky-boy allowed to continue his dominance over Arsenal's midfield when, clearly, he shouldn't be there.
United would've had the advantage they didn't deserve. United did manage to find an equaliser, but, with all eleven-men, who's to say they couldn't have stolen a winner, denied Arsenal an extra 3 points (instead of just 2) and given Chelsea a real chance of catching the leaders of the Barclycard Premiership?
You never know in football these days. Had it been that slightest-bit different on Sunday, this season's once-predictable Title Race could've begun to open up again, just a little more... And, when team's are playing as well as Chelsea seem to have been lately, and they're prepared to tamper with the game in such a way searching for `Equality´, it could all go horribly-wrong for one-team (and, easily more!) come the end of the season.
I've said this many times before now, but I do feel we really are at the stage in time where the fate of any-one team could be decided thanks to a collection of refereeing errors nobody seems content-enough to do anything about in order to help this growing Cancer of our once-beautiful game. It's clear the referees and third-officials need some form of Help to assist them - we've all know this for a while, now.
But, why are the now trying to even it all out for past mistakes they have made?
If a player's done wrong, he must be punished for it in the appropriate way. Yes, they are 'in-control' of the game, but there are Rules (which they have learnt!) that MUST be followed - they cannot be allowed to try and take matters into their own hands, in such a way as this.
Perhaps they are simply struggling to keep-up with the pace of the game, but don't want to admit it in fear of their "Pride"? And, there, we have another cause for why I feel they do these things; for their own reputations.
Are they, therefore, rushing into making quick-descisions because of this?
I'm sure only an extra few seconds-worth of thought could make all the difference... Believe me, ref's; you're not exactly doing yourselves any favours by trying to make-up-for your mistakes, only making more of them, either!
Two wrongs DON'T make a right!
Yes, I know I'm a little late in reacting to all this, and I know I've ripped the title straight from one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' older tracks; but I feel this is a serious regular occurance in today's game that needs to be looked at. But, what exactly can we do when those with the power seem so undependable?