We need to get this first place, because if we finish 2, we gonna play against PSG, Barcelona or Besiktas. So if we finish 1 we can play against Bayern, Juventus, Real Madrid, Porto or Leipzig, Bale or CSK Moscow, Sevilla or Spartak Moscow, Shakthar Donesk... 

 

30 minutes ago, benjsross said:

 I have a problem with red carding divers, i have a problem with yellow carding them as well. Fabregas got booked for diving against west brom in the box, but he didnt dive. Now he has to carry that yellow card with him through the season and he had to be more careful during the game. 

Divers should be banned for 3 games after the match, shouldnt be punished in game. Impossible for a ref to be 100% certain in most situations. 

But because the refs only give out yellows for diving, it makes it easier for the ref to make mistakes like with Cesc. It's an easy get out for the ref, if the ref isn't sure he dived then it should not be given, simple as that.

However the whole thing changes when you make diving in the penalty are a red card offence. Now the ref has to commit himself fully, no easy yellow to get out.

 

1 hour ago, coco said:

It may seem harsh, but it's fair, as the last defender they have the responsibility of making the call, foul him or leave him ? the choice is theirs.

What would make it seem entirely more fairer, if they red carded players who dive in the penalty area, look at Palace the weekend for prime example of how a cheating diver can affect a games outcome.

Exactly this. As a defender, I have always felt the game lets the attackers get away with murder but the defenders dont have any margin of error whatsoever. 

 

Tell that to Moratta and Phil Jones against the Mancs

 

2 hours ago, didierforever said:

Exactly this. As a defender, I have always felt the game lets the attackers get away with murder but the defenders dont have any margin of error whatsoever. 

 

Not true. They get their share of good luck too. See Kompany, Smalling, Hegazi even Stephen Hunt. 

Just finished watching this match due to time difference. Man of the Match - definitely Willian. Getting two penalties, a sending off and a goal!

Way to go Chels! KTBFFH!

4 hours ago, coco said:

But because the refs only give out yellows for diving, it makes it easier for the ref to make mistakes like with Cesc. It's an easy get out for the ref, if the ref isn't sure he dived then it should not be given, simple as that.

However the whole thing changes when you make diving in the penalty are a red card offence. Now the ref has to commit himself fully, no easy yellow to get out.

 

But as refs give bookings for dives that they can't be sure about then they will just do the same for reds. Then on Saturday we would have been down to ten men rather than get a penalty.

It's a moot point, video assistance will be here soon. Which is a shame as I attended a bundesliga game on the weekend and had no clue what was happening the two times it was used. Only good for the television not the fans in the ground.

5 hours ago, benjsross said:

Its just the rules, you cant have too many grey areas. He made no attempt to play the ball and just wanted to foul, so a red and penalty. 

I have a problem with red carding divers, i have a problem with yellow carding them as well. Fabregas got booked for diving against west brom in the box, but he didnt dive. Now he has to carry that yellow card with him through the season and he had to be more careful during the game. 

Divers should be banned for 3 games after the match, shouldnt be punished in game. Impossible for a ref to be 100% certain in most situations. 

The problem with retrospective punishment for diving is in what way does the team who have conceded the penalty get reward for being the wronged party? Alright in a dead rubber game at the end of the season but imagine if that penalty had relegated a team. Let the referee do it on the day with video of need be and no can of worms is opened for a later day.

I must admit I didn't think the first goal was a penalty at all, far too soft, even Willian wasn't going down screaming for one. The second one also looked very soft.

But anyway I'm not complaining, we got the job done, and more importantly, we are top of the group. We will need to beat Atletico however. 

Second one started outside the box, so should have been a freekick. First one... probably a penalty, but I would have been annoyed if it was given against us.

38 minutes ago, charierre said:

The problem with retrospective punishment for diving is in what way does the team who have conceded the penalty get reward for being the wronged party? Alright in a dead rubber game at the end of the season but imagine if that penalty had relegated a team. Let the referee do it on the day with video of need be and no can of worms is opened for a later day.

If the team concede a penalty then the ref wouldn't give a dive. He can just not give a penalty if he thinks it was a dive. At the moment the ref gives a booking if he reckons it was a dive. Often it's not.

Costa got booked for diving once, it wasn't a dive. He then got suspended for getting 5 bookings.

I’m glad the second penalty was given as it proves you don’t need to go down for it to be given. Also look at the two fouls in a couple of seconds on Pedro when running through. The second one he still nearly stayed on his feet, which also shows because a defender makes a touch players go down to make sure they get the decision. Hopefully if the players are honest and the refs give a foul for trips that don’t need stupid dives like they’ve been shot, we will see a bridge towards better decisions.

I'm so nervous, can't wait