Oh, how we missed the Premier League.
But it’s back now – and how, with Crystal Palace and Liverpool treating us to a lunchtime cracker at Selhurst Park.
With the score locked at 1-1 on the hour mark, after Luka Milivojevic’s penalty and Sadio Mane’s equaliser, the Liverpool forward was extremely fortunate not to receive his marching orders from referee Neil Swarbrick.
The Senegal international was tripped on the edge of the penalty area by Andros Townsend. The Liverpool man wanted a free-kick but didn’t get it, reacting by grabbing the ball. Having already picked up a yellow card for diving, the Palace players wanted Mane to go after a deliberate handball.
Swarbrick, however, wasn’t interested in punishment beyond awarding Palace a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Considering that the referee acknowledged Mane’s illegal intervention, it beggars belief that he didn’t brandish a yellow considering that a deliberate handball is definitely worthy of it, if not a red.
With memories of Mane’s dive still afresh, the game was placed on a knife-edge, with a fractious atmosphere filling the ground. Unsurprisingly, and rather smartly, Jurgen Klopp substituted Mane just moments later.
But the player certainly got away with one there. Even Liverpool fans admitted as much on Twitter.
My word, this ref. Mané is clearly fouled there, not given. Then gives a free kick for Mané’s deliberate hand ball and still doesn’t give him a second booking. Baffling.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) March 31, 2018
How has Mane not been sent off there 😂😂
— Matt Craig (@MattHDGamer) March 31, 2018
Probably time to sub off Mané tbh
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) March 31, 2018
Let's face it, Mane should be sent off.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) March 31, 2018
64: Mane's finally off, but it's to be replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain. Lallana's on for Wijnaldum.
[1-1] #CRYLIV
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 31, 2018
A dive, a intentional hand ball by Mane but
“Man United bought the referees “
— Nik (@NikUTFR) March 31, 2018
