It’s simple. Bayindir was fouled
Weak? Maybe a little bit. Soft? Perhaps. Could’ve done better? Of course. That’s always the case. Few leave a field of play satisfied with what they’ve done. But - Bayindir was fouled.
We all know what Arsenal do at set-pieces. They push boundaries all the time. Sometimes they get away with it - on other occasions they don’t. They did yesterday (Sunday).
Now I’ll explain why Saliba should’ve been penalised. I have no problem with him standing where he did. He’s entitled to do that, but the moment he blocks the keeper by turning his back to him and then backing into him - that’s a foul. Take another look at where Bayindir ends up. He’s in the back of the net with the ball. Saliba sent him there.
I agree United should’ve bought a keeper in the summer. I’m the one that first called Onana out - much to the annoyance of the United faithful back then. When ten Hag signed him I said he would cost United as many points as de Gea used to save them. He did.
United won’t be successful with Bayindir in goal either. He isn’t good enough, but he was fouled on Sunday. Any keeper in the world would’ve expected a free-kick in similar circumstances. It was a foul.
Arsenal got away with another one when Gabriel was all over Cunha in the box. He got nowhere near the ball when he challenged Cunha. He caught his left foot and subsequently dragged him to the ground. I don’t blame Simon Hooper for not seeing that one but VAR should’ve picked it up like we did at beINSPORTS.
I thought United were hard done by. They deserved something from the game, but it’s to Arsenal’s credit that didn’t happen. They won ugly and if they’re going to win the title, they’ll have to do a lot more of that. And before I’m buried with abuse from Arsenal fans, let me repeat The Gunners are my tip to win it this season.
I wasn’t overly impressed with Liverpool. The old phrase ‘if you can’t be good be lucky’ came to mind when I watched them pinch the points off Bournemouth. They were far from convincing, but like Arsenal got the job done.
They’ve got a new system and plenty of new faces and it showed. Bournemouth were terrific in the second-half and Iraola was right when he said his team missed an opportunity. Losing late as they did must’ve really hurt.
City were ‘pure’. Really smooth. Nobody has been talking about them really and maybe that’s helped them. Reijinders was fantastic. Of the three realistic title challengers I thought they looked the most likely by miles, but there’s a long way to go.
I guess we can excuse Chelsea for the same reason. Palace should’ve beaten them. On a point of law I get it that Eze’s free-kick was disallowed, but if it hadn’t been would anyone have cared? Chelsea didn’t claim an offence, but ok. The decision was in line with what seems to be VAR’s primary job of sucking both life and enjoyment out of the game.
James Bell flagged it in VAR. He’s clearly a man with a good eye for minutiae. Or is he? Where was he when Sanchez came for that long throw - completely missed the ball and punched Guehi in the back of the head? Had Bell gone for a cup of tea? That should’ve been a pen. Again - I don’t blame the ref for not seeing it, but Bell should’ve done.
VAR missed another one at Villa as well. Newcastle should’ve had a pen when Kamara caught the back of Barnes’ heel and brought him down in what followed after Bizot had saved from Elanga. So that’s three VAR errors already Howard.
A quick word about Isak. I understand all the criticism. On the face of it he’s painted himself into a corner, but I don’t blame him entirely.
Newcastle have had two really good offers. Liverpool are prepared to pay £110m now. Their back-up bid is £80m now and £60m more next summer. I’m of the view the only thing Newcastle have to decide is which one to take.
Isak is unhappy. He’s unsettled. He’ll be a problem for as long as he’s at St James’ now. He doesn’t want to be there and Geordies don’t want him there. Sell him for goodness sake.
Football has to be the last industry where employees are slaves to the employer. I know that sounds like an emotive and explosive statement, but it’s true. In what other industry is an employee denied a say in his/her basic human right of freedom of choice?
It doesn’t matter how much these guys earn. Football is nothing without players. They earn every penny of what they’re paid. There’s a massive industry churning trillions off the back of what they do.
Change is coming, believe me. And here’s a link to a really good article that was published in The Mail Online in early August that backs up what I’m saying.
Don’t get angry with me because of what I’ve just said. Read the article again and absorb it. I remember very well the Bosman ruling. None of us thought he’d win that case. No, that’s not true - few wanted him to win that case. But he did and change will continue to happen in the game. It’s unstoppable.