In-Swinger, Six of One and Half A Dozen of the Other

The following incident occurred during the EPL match between Chelsea and Liverpool on Remembrance Day 2012. The match finished 1—1, with 4YCs.

In the 73', Liverpool take a corner kick. Here are the freeze frames:

AR Darren Cann is in the standard recommended position, as is Referee Howard Webb. As soon as the in-swinging corner kick is taken, AR Cann quickly moves in line with the second-last defender to accurately judge whether Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is onside. A previous discussion about match officials being aware of in-swinging corners and tactics in general can be read here.


Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo was disappointed with Liverpool's equalizer claiming that Suarez (red 7) had pushed Chelsea midfielder Ramires (blue 7). Here are the freeze frames:

Both number 7 players are holding and pushing each other. The English media love to use the phrase, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other to say that both parties are equally responsible or equally guilty.

Amid the accusatory and acrid atmosphere generated mainly by Chelsea's ongoing disrespect for match officials due to results not going their way, the match officials of Howard Webb, Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey—the 2010 World Cup Final trio—performed competently. A professional job done professionally.