Why the Merseyside derby did football no favours
By Darren Lewis
Published 14:32 09/02/10
The only things missing from the Battle of Anfield on Saturday were baseball bats and bomber jackets.
Because some of the tackles in the Merseyside derby were more akin to assault than a game of football.
I blame referee Martin Atkinson. Prior to the match he hadn’t given out a red card in 22 Premier League matches.
He clearly went into the contest intent on allowing the game to flow. And to be fair you have to give him credit for that, as all too often we accuse referees of killing games by flashing the cards too quickly.
But once the first few challenges started flying in he should have taken action.
It should never have reached the point where Javier Mascherano almost had his leg broken in that awful challenge by Steven Pienaar (who always seems to have that ‘what did I do?’) expression on his face.
Liverpool performed brilliantly to bounce back from having Sotiris Kyriagos sent off in a challenge which should have seen Marouane Fellaini dismissed too.
But after a week in which football had been slaughtered by people who want to use any excuse to have a go at the sport, this match did us no favours.
Blog
What are the odds Suarez and Evra swap shirts at the final whistle? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day
Betting Blog 22:00 10/02/12The FA reckon Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra should shake hands when they come face to face on Saturda... Read More+
Column
United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too
Brian Reade 20:59 10/02/12We should have sacked Capello two years ago Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs Those who think to... Read More+
Column
We should have sacked Capello two years ago
Brian Reade 20:58 10/02/12United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too Why Moyes is the ri... Read More+
Column
Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs
Brian Reade 20:57 10/02/12United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too We should have sac... Read More+
Blog
Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot
Mirror Football Blog 15:52 10/02/12It's a tough life being a top footballer part 3,876: poor old Sami Khedira. Not only is he forced to... Read More+
Blog
3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train
Football Banter 15:38 10/02/12Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection: 1) We... Read More+
Column
Why does snow and extreme weather bring out the best in football fans?
Ian Winwood 14:09 10/02/12A few years ago, on the weekend before Christmas I went with my mum to see Barnsley play at Queens P... Read More+
Blog
Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25)
Mirror Football Blog 12:09 10/02/12'Arry'll put a smile on those poor England boys' faces. Yeah, 'Arry's a man manager. Arm round the s... Read More+
Blog
The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games
Mirror Football Blog 11:25 10/02/12The MirrorFootball Best XI is our new feature celebrating the very best of the beautiful game. Each ... Read More+
Blog
Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again
Mirror Football Blog 00:00 10/02/12Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have already taken to Twitter to say Harry Redknapp is the man they’d... Read More+
Blog
Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future
Mirror Football Blog 23:00 09/02/12For a man who just shot the sheriff, David Bernstein looked thoroughly unruffled. The FA chairman ... Read More+
Column
Redknapp will be a great England boss, but not before he leaves Spurs with a top, top parting gift
Robbie Savage 22:00 09/02/12You would have thought Harry Redknapp will find it difficult to keep his eye on the ball. Every time... Read More+
