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da pinnacle： While there is certainly such a thing as Premier League referees being too lenient, most supporters and neutrals would probably prefer that to an official going too far the other way – making needless big calls seemingly to remind everybody of their own importance.
Craig Pawson, who will oversee Manchester United and Tottenham’s Premier League clash on Monday night, unfortunately belongs in the latter category.
Indeed, while the 39-year-old ranked a mere 10th for yellow cards per match from the 21 referees to work in the top flight last season and a lowly 15th for fouls per game, it’s his returns for big decisions that offer up the largest calls for concern.
Just one referee averaged more red cards per match than Pawson in 2017/18, while his ranking for penalties per match wasn’t too far behind either.
Worryingly, it’s been a similar case so far this season as well. In two games, Pawson has issued two red cards and awarded one penalty.
While most would agree with his decision to send off Isaac Hayden against Cardiff City for a needlessly wreckless lunge from behind, the handball penalty was certainly debatable and the red card shown to Phil Jagielka on the opening weekend for a desperate challenge he really needed to make divided opinion amongst pundits and supporters. All things considered, it still seems a little harsh.
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And in a game that will likely be as close as it gets, replicating Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last season courtesy of Anthony Martial’s late goal, Pawson’s appointment is a big blow for both teams.
One incident could easily decide what is a crucial top six clash, and Pawson appears almost hell-bent on making it.