As I mentioned in a previous post, it pays to be one of the top franchises of the Premier League. Here’s why:
Case 1: You make a mildly dodgy tackle, that unfortunately results in a broken leg for another player. You should probably get a yellow card, but get a straight red – and because of the seriousness of the injury, you feel unable to appeal. No names – you know who this is!
Case 2: A player from Liverpool grabs your face, you slap him back. You get the red card – Jesus said turn the other cheek, and momma said “If someone hits you, don’t hit them back – come and tell me or you’ll be in trouble”. But in football, it’s one rule for one, one rule for another. Mr Aliadiere, for it is he, appealed – and was given an extra match ban for being frivolous! The other fella did just as much, but got away with it!
Case 3: Chelsea’s Frank Lampard pushed Luis Boa Morte of West Ham after another mildly dodgy clash, and received a red card – violent conduct, like Aliadiere. Mr Lampard appeals, and the card gets overturned for one of the top franchises.
See what I mean?
Well, it was a good start with Tuncay scoring after 9 minutes to put the Boro ahead, but a hat-trick from Fernando Torres put paid to that. Stewart Downing scored in the 82nd minute to bring it to 3-2. And then Aliadiare was sent off!