Connect with us

Sports

Arsenal to contact Pro Ref over Ezri Konsa penalty incident

Published

on

Arsenal will contact refereeing body Pro Ref over the incident in which Ezri Konsa conceded a penalty in Saturday’s win over Sunderland.

Konsa and Black Cats defender Dan Ballard were involved in a physical exchange inside the penalty area in which the Arsenal defender was adjudged to have fouled the Sunderland captain for excessive holding.

After the game Gunners manager Mikel Arteta criticised the decision, and it is understood the Premier League champions will hold talks with the professional referee’s body for an explanation as to why the penalty was awarded.

It is understood Arsenal are keen to avoid major refereeing decisions impacting on results and want clarity over how referee John Brooks came to his decision.

Advertisement

Brooks initially awarded Sunderland the spot-kick on the field, and the decision was backed up by the video assistant referee (VAR).

“The referee’s call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR,” read a statement published by the Premier League Match Centre.

But after the game Arteta said: “This is not acceptable at this level.

“I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene.

Advertisement

“So I don’t know what to think. I’m sad that we have to discuss this after such a beautiful game, that at this level has the gravity of that. Because that changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship.

“At this level, with all the work we put in, this cannot happen.”

Match of the Day pundits Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank both said Sunderland should not have been awarded a penalty, claiming that Arsenal should have had a free-kick.

“I think he’s got it completely wrong,” said Williams. “It’s almost like a perfect hip toss in judo [from Ballard]. In no way is it a penalty.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Chelsea’s Clean Sheet Worry Deepens After 20 Games Without One

Published

on

Chelsea’s defensive problems continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by promoted Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

Despite scoring twice through Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, the Blues once again failed to keep a clean sheet, extending their unwanted run to 20 consecutive Premier League matches without one.

Rogers gave Chelsea an early lead in the seventh minute, continuing the club’s fast starts this season. The £117 million signing from Aston Villa moved past Matt Crooks before firing into the bottom corner.

Advertisement

But Chelsea’s defence soon let them down.

Jorrel Hato switched off in the 28th minute, allowing Mohamed Belloumi to meet Ryan Giles’ cross and volley Hull level.

The visitors then turned the game around before half-time. After Semi Ajayi’s header hit the crossbar, Oli McBurnie reacted quickly and the ball eventually fell to Belloumi, whose effort took deflections off Levi Colwill and Reece James before finding the net.

Advertisement

Chelsea had chances to respond, but Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis stood firm.

Joao Pedro eventually rescued a point for Chelsea in the 66th minute, curling a powerful left-footed finish into the near corner after Cole Palmer delivered a dangerous low cross.

The Blues pushed for a winner late on, with Palmer, James and Rogers all coming close. However, Hull survived to take a valuable point from Stamford Bridge.

The result leaves Chelsea fourth in the Premier League, while Hull remain an impressive third.

Advertisement

But for Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, the biggest concern will once again be at the back.

Twenty Premier League games without a clean sheet is now the reality for Chelsea, highlighting a defensive problem that Alonso will need to solve quickly if the Blues are to challenge at the top end of the table.

Chelsea may be scoring goals, but until they learn how to stop conceding them, every match will continue to feel like a fight.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

3 Reasons why Dominik Mysterio lost his AAA Mega Championship to El Grande Americano

Published

on

Dominik Mysterio defended his AAA Mega Championship against El Grande Americano in the main event of TripleMania 34 Night Two. After weeks of bad blood, the two finally settled their differences inside the squared circle, with the biggest prize in AAA Lucha Libre on the line.

Americano kicked off the match at a pace, but “Dirty” Dom gained momentum midway, making the bout more competitive.

Mysterio soon introduced the title belt to inflict serious damage on Americano. But things went El Grande’s way, as he introduced weapons himself.

Seeing the title slipping from Dominik’s hand, JD McDonagh appeared and attacked Americano, but Los Americanos ran in to take out JD. Omos also showed up to help Mysterio, but El Grande managed to put the Nigerian Giant away with a low blow.

In the final moments of the match, El Grande Americano accidentally knocked out the referee. Seizing the opportunity, Mysterio attempted to hit El Grande with the title. However, Americano recovered in time and executed his finisher on Dirty Dom.

Despite being banged up from his match against Omos on night one, Rey Mysterio ran in as a special guest referee. He counted three, and Dominik did not kick out, and a brand-new AAA Mega Champion was crowned

In this article, we will take a look at three reasons why Dominik Mysterio lost his AAA Mega Championship to El Grande Americano:

Advertisement

#3. Nothing left in Dominik Mysterio’s reign

Dominik Mysterio’s reign as the AAA Mega Champion ended after 366 days at TripleMania 34 Night Two. During his lengthy reign, he defended the strap three times, which is not a good look for AAA’s major championship, and Dirty Dom didn’t have much else to offer as the Mega Champion.

Therefore, AAA’s Creative may have decided to finally take the title off The Judgment Day member and put it on a hungrier star who has something new to offer as champion.

#2. To have a dedicated champion

Dominik Mysterio is primarily a WWE Superstar; he features on Monday Night RAW more often and makes only surprise appearances at AAA Lucha Libre.

The brand crowned Dirty Dom AAA Mega Champion to get eyeballs on the product, and with his 350-plus-day reign, Dominik has made the strap more popular with a larger number of fans.

Advertisement

AAA may have thus shifted its focus to getting a more dedicated champion for the brand, and El Grande Americano has been the top guy for quite some time. Americano could defend the title more often and represent the belt better, even on the weekly shows.

#1. WWE might have other plans for Dominik Mysterio

Now that “Dirty” Dom has been rid of the burden of being AAA Mega Champion at TripleMania 34 Night Two, where he dropped the title to El Grande Americano, WWE may have other plans for him on Monday Night RAW.

There have been ongoing rumors regarding the breakup of The Judgment Day. With both Mysterio and Liv Morgan losing their titles, JD, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne Perez could betray the couple and kick them out of the faction.

This would lay the groundwork for Dominik Mysterio and Liv becoming a babyface couple on the red brand, waging war against their former faction.

Advertisement