Next time I complain about the refereeing in Major League Soccer remind me of the horrendous decision by referee Andre Marriner today in the 96th minute that cost West Brom two points at Stamford Bridge.
Somehow Marriner thought that Steven Reid had fouled Ramires, a tackle that none of the Chelsea players even questioned. Eden Hazard held his nerve amid angry West Brom protests to roll home an equalizer and preserve Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten home record in league games.
Despite the draw, Chelsea lipped to fourth place in the Premier League, four points below leaders Arsenal, who could move even further clear if they win at Manchester United on Sunday as Liverpool and Southampton leaped over them.
Liverpool won in style as they thrashed Fulham 4-0 at Anfield in what would well be Martin Jol’s last game in charge. The cottagers were as poor as I can remember them being as an own goal from Fernando Amorebieta, a Martin Skrtel header and a Luis Suarez effort put Liverpool 3-0 up inside 36 minutes, with Suarez adding a second goal in the 54th minute to take his tally of league goals to eight.
New England call-up Adam Lallana impressed in front of Roy Hodgson as Southampton moved up to third in the table with a 4-1 win at home to Hull City. The Saints other England striker Rickie Lambert, as he scored and assisted on the Saints first two goals. Lallana added a fine third eight minutes before half-time, wriggling down the left-hand channel and beating Harper with a cool finish, with Steven Davis completing victory after Yannick Sagbo replied for Hull.
There was a rare sighting at Villa Park as Paul Lambert’s side scored twice and Brad Guzan kept a clean sheet as Villa beat Cardiff City 2-0.
Before Everton’s trip to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace, Roberto Martinez said he wanted the Toffees to keep a clean sheet. He got his wish, but so did Palace, as Everton were surprisingly healed to a 0-0 draw.
