Lee Mason (Crystal Palace v West Ham United)

Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham United

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistant 1: Simon Bennett

Assistant 2: Simon Long

4th Official: Roger East

TRR Assessor: Hubert (Leszno, Poland)
Date: 03/12/13
Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Kick Off: 20:00
Competition: Premier League
Match Difficulty: Normal

THE REFEREE

Foul Detection

POOR

Comment...

Identification of fouls was a bit inconsistent in this game. Some pushings and pullings were missed and/or allowed by the referee. Lee Mason was right whistling the foul in the 63rd minute of the game, but his alertness and awareness was totally missed in this situation, turning his back to two player running at each other. That technical mistake resulted in missed another foul of #8CRY that should've been punished with at least yellow card, if not a red one for a dynamic slide tackle with studs up and a straightened leg positioned highly over the ground, however without the contact between this leg and an opponent.

One minute later, after the cross from a free kick, assistant 2 signaled a  foul of #17WHU on #29CRY what Lee Mason correctly whistled, stopping the WHU action in which - split seconds after the whistle sounded - a goal was scored. Replays show that Simon Long was right waving on the clear pulling for a shirt which started immediately after the ball was in play and finished a moment later. Of course, in final phase of the action, the CRY player started to pull his opponent too, but it was #17WHU who initialized an infringement. Very good teamwork, very good assistance from Simon Long.

The things grew more complicated at the end of the game. At first, Lee Mason, despite an excellent position he took, missed a contact that should've led to an obvious corner kick to WHU (90'). After the final whistle sounded, #15WHU frustrated by the defeat of his own team, deliberately kicked the ball with full force in the back of #2CRY who went to him with strong pretensions (nothing strange in such case), but was violently pushed into the face by furious aggressor. Honestly, those were two sending-off offenses to #15WHU missed by Simon Long and Lee Mason who lost all the alertness being aware that the match is finished. The WHU player received the alibi yellow card instead of deserved dismissal.

Positioning

SATISFACTORY

Comment...

The referee's positioning was good in most parts of the game, resulting in him having a good view of play. That was rather the lack of alertness that led him to miss some big things in this game.

Man Management

SATISFACTORY

Comment...

The referee spoke to players when required, particularly after they had committed an offense. Nonetheless, on a few occasions, the referee failed to talk to players what could've calmed the hot atmosphere down and helped Lee Mason to gain more respect.

Card Issuing

POOR

Comment...

The referee correctly booked #27CRY and #5WHU for breaking promissing attacks in 30th and 67th minute of the game. However, there was aforementioned rough tackle of #8CRY which wasn't punished even with a yellow card (63') but also two violent conducts of #15WHU deserved a red card without a doubt after the final whistle missed by Lee Mason and Simon Long.

Fitness

GOOD

Comment...
The referee's fitness was of a good standard. No problems detected.

THE ASSISTANT REFEREES

Assistant 1 - SATISFACTORY [8.2]
Assistant 2 - SATISFACTORY [7.9]

Comment...

Simon Bennett was grossly mistaken signaled a non-existent offside in 10th minute of the game in a situation that was easy to judge for an official at such level. Simon Long rightly signaled the foul of one of WHU players before his teammate scored a goal (64'). Unfortunately, he lost alertness after the final whistle what led to the missed violent conducts of #15WHU.

OVERALL

SATISFACTORY

SCORE

7.8/10