ANGRY fans claim “terrible” Craig Pawson should never referee in the Premier League again after “bottling” a red card for match-turning Chelsea sub Jorginho at Arsenal.
Jorginho escaped a second booking for a “clear professional foul” on Lucas Torreira then hit the leveller in the Blues’ late 2-1 comeback win.
Jorginho slots the leveller in a 2-1 comeback win for Chelsea – after escaping a second booking for a cynical foulCredit: AP:Associated Press
Supporters erupted in outrage on social media, even many Chelsea fans agreeing Jorginho had been lucky to stay on.
Having defended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early headed goal well for long periods, Arsenal were undone in the last seven minutes of Mikel Arteta’s first home game in charge.
Gunners’ keeper Bernd Leno completely misjudged a routine free-kick from Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount, enabling midfielder Jorginho to slot into an empty goal.
Then more poor defending enabled Tammy Abraham to turn and sidefoot the Blues’ winner on 87 minutes.
SunSport’s refereeing expert Mark Halsey said: “I am amazed referee Craig Pawson did not issue a second yellow card to Jorginho at the Emirates.
“It should have been a mandatory caution for the Chelsea midfielder on Matteo Guendouzi because it was a clear holding offence by the Italian which stopped a promising attack.
“Jorginho was very lucky to stay on the field of play as he was already on a yellow card.
“Pawson was in an excellent position and had a clear view of the offence. It’s a basic error from an international referee.
“Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta can feel frustrated and aggrieved because Jorginho scored a vital equaliser minutes later.
“Although red cards are one of the four criteria for VAR, the technology is not permitted to intervene.
“VAR cannot get involved in yellow card offences, only straight red card situations.”
Jorginho, already on a yellow card, clearly pulled Matteo Guendouzi’s arm
The French midfielder reacts after being pulled to the ground
‘CLASSIC ENGLISH REFEREEING’
But on Twitter at least Pawson, not Leno, was the villain.
Adam Keys posted: “Craig Pawson absolutely bottled it today. No red card for Jorginho for a clear professional foul, only for him to equalise five minutes later. Once again, Premier League referees showing they are not up to the standard required.”
And Jimmy Chilides tweeted: “Craig Pawson will never ever referee another Arsenal match again… worst refereeing display we have witnessed all season, the biggest botler of all referees… @FA have a lot to answer to after that! Didn’t have the bottle to send Jorginho off.”
Some fans went even further, one arguing: “He booked 4 players for pulling back, most of them in a position of no danger. Jorginho pulled him down when we had 4on3 but keeps his cards. Bottled it. Pawson should never ref a prem game again.”
And one supporter claimed he was breaking the habit of a lifetime because Pawson was so bad.
Mark White said: “I never moan about referees but Craig Pawson has bottled a clear second yellow on Jorginho and it’s cost us two points. Shocking officiating.”
‘GARBAGE’
Pawson’s failure to send Jorginho was rated crucial to the game’s dramatic transformation.
And this post summed up this view: “No discredit to Chelsea, they were all over us for a good 60 mins while we sat back and defended. But COME ON, Craig Pawson completely bottled that, Jorginho should’ve been sent off, that’s a yellow card offence every day of the week. Classic English refereeing, garbage.”
Jorginho’s had come for Emerson as early as the 34th minute when Arsenal’s fine start persuaded Chelsea boss Frank Lampard he had got his tactics wrong.
And the Gunners’ eventual defeat means they remain 12th, with just five wins from 20 matches.
It is also the first time since December 1959 they have lost four home games in all competitions in a row.
Erling Haaland seals £18m Borussia Dortmund transfer in huge blow to Man Utd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
