Men in Black: how did the Refs get on?
After a controversial week, we assess the whistle-blowers...

Newcastle United v Swansea City: Lee Mason Apart from his strange decision to book Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye, Mason handled things well, and helped the game to flow. Rating: 6/10
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City: Antony Taylor His decision not to send off Jonathan Woodgate was a surprise, not least to a baffled Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy. 5/10.
Everton v Norwich City: Lee Probert Defused some potential flash points without resorting to a glut of red and yellow early Christmas cards. However, should have showed one to Grant Holt for a careless arm. 6/10
Wigan Athletic v Chelsea: Martin Atkinson Just a single contentious moment when he might have given a handball against Branislav Ivanovic but kept control well without needing to brandish a single yellow card. 7/10
Fulham v Bolton Wanderers: Chris Foy Better known among the Twitterati as Chris Hoy – after his second-half horror show in the Stoke-Totttenham match – he shied away from headlines here. 6/10.
Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion: Mark Clattenburg Had a good game and made only two bookings in a very tense relegation battle in which he refused to become the centre of attention. 8/10
Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United: Howard Webb Calm, always in control, but rarely noticed – a good sign – in an uncontroversial game. Fine performance from the World Cup final official. 8/10
Aston Villa v Liverpool: Peter Walton Had to deal with Craig Bellamy at close to his most combustible and might have sent the Welshman off when he tangled with Alan Hutton while already on a yellow. 7/10
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland: Mike Dean A quiet game, but could well have awarded a penalty, rather than merely a free-kick, when Titus Bramble tripped Roman Pavlyuchenko. 7/10
Manchester City v Arsenal: Phil Dowd Let the game flow, maybe should have awarded Arsenal a penalty, but equally Mikel Arteta could easily have been sent off for a quick second yellow. 7/10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments