Agree with the baines bit. I despise the inconsistency in refereeing tho, literally the same type of challenge in the spurs game on moura, nothing given. They aren't even consistent in the same game so I can understand how baines could give him the nudge thinking its something he's probably gotten away with before so will do again.
Both baines and richi were silly mistakes but Christ the reffing is dreadful. Justification for sending of richi is surely based on that kind of thing potentially causing harm to another professional. Yet within the same game, and same referee two players smash heads together, one gets knocked out instantly and he waves play on allowing a shot on goal. Sure he wasn't to know Keane had a fractured skull but come on.
There's just no logic in reffing decisions or the laws of the game anymore. Was there really justification for 2 red cards in that game? Hardly a bad tackle all match but apparently there was reason to send off two players. Any sliding tackle now risks being a booking if there's any kind of follow through. You are out of control when you slide, because you're sliding along the ground and human beings weren't born with roller skates on, so technically that makes any sliding tackle susceptible to a red.
I just can't stand it, I love everton and watching and playing footy but the decisions are horrendous. It's not football anymore if you can't tackle and any kind of contact is a booking. Sure they need to protect the players but did the ref protect Smith from a fractured head with the headbutt. Yes he did, was there a genuine risk of that happening. Was there chuff. Did he react to protect Keane from a fractured head following a carcrash of a collision. No. Same ref and he will still be reffing again this weekend. It's a disgrace.
