Premier League 2026-27 Season Discussion Thread Soccer

[Black Sheep]

Terrible rule to allow that second Man Utd goal against Ipswich.

I thought the handball rule was that any handball for the goalscorer or assister and it would be ruled out, accidental or not. Any other player in the build up and it would be subjective.

Saying it was handball because Maguire took a shot on goal, but then saying it's not handball because the shot was bad and going wide is stupid.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

I thought the handball rule was that any handball for the goalscorer or assister and it would be ruled out, accidental or not. Any other player in the build up and it would be subjective.

Saying it was handball because Maguire took a shot on goal, but then saying it's not handball because the shot was bad and going wide is stupid.

The goal was allowed because the shot was going wide, so Maguire can't be given the goal, if it was on target, I presume it would be disallowed, as ordinarily he would be given the goal. Correct by the rules, I suppose, but the whole rule around whether it hits the goalscorer's hand is badly shown up there.

 

[Dylan]

Nice win for Liverpool last night. Two lovely assists for Gapko, both put away by Isak.

You do worry about Liverpool's defence though when they play better teams.

 

[Dylan]

Very early in the season, I know, but Fulham, Spurs, Coventry, Ipswich alreadyook like being in a relegation fight. I know Villa have started poorly but they should be comfortable although I don't think they will challenge for the Champions League places this year.

Everton could struggle with next to no strikers and Sunderland haven't looked good.

Good test for Chelsea today against the champions.

 

[Dylan]

Chelsea finished with an xG of 0.39 against Arsenal. If that's best attack in the league...

 

[Black Sheep]

What did everyone think of the Manchester Derby? There were a few controversial decisions - did Foden deserve his red card? Should Fernandes have been sent off, too? What about the Haaland goal - was it the correct decision?

Personally, I think both Fernandes and Foden deserved yellow cards. Fernandes kicked Foden once, maybe twice, when he was on the ground, and Foden retaliated. A yellow card each would have been a better outcome, imo.



Haaland was actually onside; VAR checks confirmed this, but how can they say Enzo Fernandez wasn't interfering with play? He was offside when the ball was played; Lisandro Martinez left Haaland unmarked to try to cover Fernandez. Fernandez then attempted a diving header but missed the ball, and it went all the way through to Haaland, who put the ball in the net for the only goal of the game.

The rules of the Premier League state that "a player will be penalised if they are clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent". Fernandez was being marked at the time by United defender Lisandro Martinez, who in turn had left Haaland free at the back post.

During the match, the Premier League match centre said: "VAR checked the referee's call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded. The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn't play the ball."

Pro Ref, the English referring body, said after the game that the decision by VAR was wrong. The Pro Ref statement added: "Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement. A review of the incident will take place."

It seems like VAR will be a major talking point again this season.

 

[Dylan]

Muharemovic is such a good signing for Leeds. The guy is a Champions League level defender yet they signed him for £34m.

What did everyone think of the Manchester Derby? There were a few controversial decisions - did Foden deserve his red card? Should Fernandes have been sent off, too? What about the Haaland goal - was it the correct decision?

Silly from Foden, but he was kicked twice by Fernandes. Yellow cards for both would have been a better option but by the letter of the law, a red card for Foden was technically correct.

The goal was a terrible decision. I thought Haaland was offside but it turns out he wasn't. But it is clear as day that Fernandez was making a play towards the ball, he was attempting a diving header.,

 

[Power Ant]

Brentford batter Chelsea 3-0 in the Friday night game. Fair play to Andrews and Brentford, they are a solid outfit. They lose a player through a transfer, find a replacement, and everything continues to work without disruption.

That's 12 goals conceded in 5 games. That's extremely poor from Chelsea - Xabi Alonso is only the sixth manager to see his side concede 2+ goals in each of his first five games as a Premier League manager.

 

[Welshy]

Xabi Alonso is only the sixth manager to see his side concede 2+ goals in each of his first five games as a Premier League manager.

The way Chelsea go through managers he may not see Christmas at this rate