The Premier League returns this weekend following October’s international break, and as one would imagine players, staff and supporters of Manchester City and Burnley can’t wait for the action to begin.
Saturday 20 October 2018
Etihad Stadium
Manchester City vs. Burnley
Etihad Stadium
Kick-off 3 pm BST
The man-in-the-middle is none other than birthday boy (18 October) Jonathan Ross while his assistants are Eddie Smart and Andy Halliday.
The fourth official is Chris Kavanagh.
Jonathan Moss
Self-confessed Sunderland fan Moss has been officiating within England’s top division since his 2011 Select Group of Referees inclusion.
Season 2018/19
The former head teacher has taken charge of nine domestic matches – one of which was the seasons opening Community Shield between City and Chelsea. On that occasion, he kept his cards in his pocket.
Out of the remaining eight, he’s brandished 29 yellow and three red cards.
Sympathetic Referee?
Who remembers way back in October 2014 when City thumped Tottenham 4-1, and of course the moments when Moss awarding MCFC four penalties?
Penalty 1: Frank Lampard looked to throw himself to the ground following the slightest Erik Lamela touch.
There was contact, and so technically the penalty award was not wrong. However, we got away with that one.
Penalty 2: The clearest of the four. Younes Kaboul completely wiped David Silva out.
Penalty 3: Demichelis tripped Soldado while coming for the ball and then a slight tussle of bodies caused both players to fall. Contact was just outside of the penalty area, but Mr. Moss decided Demichelis was impeded, blew his whistle and pointed towards the spot.
Another one we got away with!
Penalty 4: This time Moss was absolutely right to award a penalty, as Fazio clearly fouled Aguero to prevent his forward run on to a cross. Federico was subsequently was sent off for his challenge.
Out of the four penalties, Sergio scored just the two. However, he did make amends by netting a further twice from open play.