Ref Watch: Man Utd's Wayne Rooney deserved red card vs Chelsea, says Dermot Gallagher

It was a weekend of controversial decisions in English football, from Wayne Rooney's tackle on Oscar to Tottenham's winner against Watford.

Should Manchester United captain Rooney have received a red card for his challenge on Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder?

Son-Heung Min scored the decisive goal at Vicarage Road, but should it have been chalked off for offside? 

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher joined Rob Wotton in theSky Sports News HQ studio to look back over some of the weekend's biggest talking points. 

INCIDENT: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) tackle on Oscar (Chelsea), yellow card given. 

SCENARIO: Rooney and John Obi Mikel battle for possession inside the Chelsea half during the closing stages at Old Trafford. The ball breaks away from both players and Oscar nips in, releasing a first-time pass. However, Oscar is caught high on his calf by Rooney, with the latter's studs showing. Referee Martin Atkinson awards Chelsea a free-kick and brandishes a yellow card to Rooney. 

Wayne Rooney should have received a red card for his mistimed challenge on Oscar, according to Gallagher

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: I think he's lucky. To make a challenge like that, you run a massive risk of a red card. I think the only thing that has saved him is where the referee is stood. If the referee had the view that we've got, he would just pull out a red card. He is nowhere near the ball, he is high, he is dangerous and I think it is serious foul play. 

INCIDENT: Willian (Chelsea) handball against Manchester United, no penalty given. 

SCENARIO: Chelsea midfielder Mikel heads Ashley Young's cross from the right flank in the direction of his team-mate Willian. He then attempts to control the ball on his thigh, but it bounces up and he appears to handle inside the penalty area. Atkinson does not award a penalty and allows play to continue. 

Chelsea were lucky not to concede a penalty after Willian appeared to handle inside the penalty area

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: I think it is handball, but I think the reason why the referee has not given it is because he is isolated. He probably thinks it has come up off his thigh and the game goes on. But I actually think Willian moves his hand towards the ball. I thought it was handball, but nobody appealed or made a big thing of it. That's quite interesting. 

INCIDENT: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) tackle on Juan Mata (Manchester United), no penalty given. 

SCENARIO: The ball breaks loose inside the Chelsea 18-yard box and Azpilicueta attempts to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Mata possession. Mata appears to get to the ball first and goes to ground after falling over the defender's trailing leg. However, referee Atkinson does not award a penalty. 

Juan Mata went down under the challenge of Cesar Azpilicueta, but no penalty was awarded

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Right decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: I think this is a really, really tough call. But I think there's a clue here in Ashley Young's reaction. Ashley Young is the nearest player to the incident and he's got the best view. If you watch Young, he points straight to a corner. So, he is convinced that Azpilicueta played the ball. I think that is the clue that helped Martin Atkinson. 

INCIDENT: Nathan Ake (Watford) tackle on Erik Lamela (Tottenham), red card given.  

SCENARIO: Kieran Trippier takes a throw-in, in the direction of Lamela. The Tottenham winger allows the ball to roll across his body, but as he attempts to turn, Ake makes a high challenge and connects with Lamela's left thigh, studs first. Referee Anthony Taylor awards a free-kick to Tottenham and brandishes a red card for Ake. 

Nathan Ake was given his marching orders for a high challenge on Erik Lamela

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Right decision.

GALLAGHER SAY: I think this is a red card all day long. What is interesting is that the challenge from the assistant's point of view doesn't look too bad, but the view that Anthony Taylor got was different and the pictures are quite damning. He has gone in straight-legged, he has gone in high, he is reckless, he is dangerous and it has ticked every box really. I think the referee is absolutely right to send him off. 

INCIDENT: Son-Heung Min (Tottenham) goal against Watford, goal given. 

SCENARIO: Trippier crosses the ball into the 18-yard box, where Son challenges Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Son is not flagged for offside, despite appearing to be a yard in front of the Watford defence when Trippier delivered into the penalty area. Play continues and the ball breaks back to Trippier. His second cross is met by Son, who flicks his effort beyond Gomes. 

Son-Heung Min appeared to be an offside position in the build-up to his winning goal

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: It was just not picked up by the assistant. The cross comes in and Son is offside, but by the time the ball gets to him he's in an onside position. That is what the assistant has watched, he hasn't watched the start position. It is something we've spoken about all season, most times we see a goal scored like this is because the start position isn't picked up. 

INCIDENT: Marko Arnautovic (Stoke) goes down following a challenge from John Stones (Everton), penalty given.  

SCENARIO: Arnautovic collects a pass from Ibrahim Afellay on the edge of the 18-yard box. He dribbles towards Stones before attempting to take on the Everton defender. Stones goes to ground, making a tackle in his attempts to deny Arnautovic having a shot at goal. Stones appears to get a touch on the ball, but also brings down Arnautovic. Referee Mark Clattenburg awards Stoke a penalty and shows a yellow card to Stones. 

Stoke were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Marko Arnautovic went down under the challenge of John Stones

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Right decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: He has touched the ball, but I still think it's a penalty. If you get the ball, it doesn't necessarily mean you have not committed a foul. He has gone through Arnautovic and has committed a foul. I think it's a penalty, I concur with the referee and understand why he has given it. It's a fair decision.   

INCIDENT: Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion) challenges Aleksander Mitrovic (Newcastle) inside the 18-yard box, no penalty given. 

SCENARIO: Mitrovic collects Paul Dummett's cross from the left inside the 18-yard box and attempts to get a shot off at goal. But as he attempts to do so, he is held back by Evans and falls to the ground under the defender's challenge. Mitrovic appeals for a penalty, however referee Mike Jones waves play on. 

Aleksander Mitrovic was brought down inside the penalty area by Jonny Evans, but was not awarded a spot kick

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision.

GALLAGHER SAYS: It was just not picked up. It's a foul, if anybody sees it, it's a foul. He's grabbed him around the waist, I can't defend it. I am not even going to try. He's grabbed him around the waist, he's put him off and made him miss his shot. It's a penalty. 

INCIDENT: Gerard Deulofeu (Everton) goes down just outside the 18-yard box following a challenge from Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), booked for simulation.

SCENARIO: Deulofeu collects the ball just inside the Stoke half and dribbles towards goal. As he approaches the Stoke penalty area, he appears to kick the ball too far in front of himself and goes down under the challenge of Shawcross, despite no contact being made. Referee Clattenburg halts play, awards Stoke a free-kick and books Deulofeu for simulation. 

Gerard Deulofeu went to ground, despite Ryan Shawcross making no contact with him

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Right decision.

GALLAGHER SAY: It's a very good spot. The referee has got a great view, he's worked hard to get into that position and he's got the right decision. It's clearly not a foul. 

INCIDENT: Andy Halliday (Rangers) confronts Fraser Fyvie (Hibernian), red card given. 

SCENARIO: Halliday lays the ball off to Danny Wilson before being challenged from behind by Fyvie. Halliday, who appears to kick out at Fyvie, takes exception to the Hibernian midfielder's late tackle and confronts him. Halliday bumps his chest into Fyvie, who moves away from the situation clutching his face. Referee Bobby Madden stops play and shows a red card to Halliday. 

GALLAGHER'S VIEW: Wrong decision. 

GALLAGHER SAYS: I think Fyvie has done him no favours whatsoever. The only certainty about this is that Rangers will appeal this. This is reminiscent of an incident which happened in Scotland in 2009, Kyle Lafferty against Aberdeen. The player has done him absolutely no favours and he should stand up today and say: I was totally out of order.

Man United Stars Juan Mata and Depay Spread Christmas Cheer

It has been an annual tradition for Man United’s stars to turn up at the Manchester Royal Children’s Hospital to bring some Christmas cheer to young patients.

And last week, a leading cast of the Red Devils were once again present to give out presents to their supporters.

Players such as Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard, Morgan Schneiderlin, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian, Andreas Pereira and Sergio Romero were all pictured with their young fans and staff at the hospital.

Man United Stars Juan Mata and Depay Spread Christmas Cheer

One player notably missing from the group was United goalkeeper David De Gea, who had been locked into the United training ground for several hours while the football anti-doping agency carried out their tests at Carrington.

Stars Ander Herrera and Juan Mata had a chat with patient Amelie, 10, and her sister Fleur, 12, from Salford.

Man United Stars Juan Mata and Depay Spread Christmas Cheer

Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard also shared stories with Man United fan, Daniel, 11, from Preston.

The drug testing agency did not provide prior notice to the club De Gea was reportedly ‘furious’ to have missed an opportunity to engage with the club’s supporters.

De Gea is believed to be the only United player who was selected to take part in the two hours of testing, after which it became too late to accompany his colleagues at the hospital.

The Spanish goalkeeper, who came close to signing for Real Madrid in August before signing a new long-term contract at Old Trafford, remains a hugely popular figure with the United support.

Man United Stars Juan Mata and Depay Spread Christmas Cheer

Tottenham stars entertain kids at One Junior Party

Tottenham Hotspur’s high-flying stars took time out of their busy Christmas period preparations to spread the festive cheer with their young supporters at the One Hotspur Junior Party.

Harry Kane, Erik Lamela, Kyle Walker, Son-Heung Min, Nacer Chadli, Alex Pritchard and Kieran Trippier were among the Spurs players pictured at the Enfield event on Wednesday afternoon.

England international striker Kane spoke with the delighted youngsters before signing autographs and playing a few games, while Argentine winger Lamela watched on as the children played magnetic darts.

Tottenham stars entertain kids at One Junior Party

English right back Kyle Walker threw himself into the activities, and was spotted wearing a comical elephant mask and signing the back of a child’s shirt.

The children were thrilled at his enthusiasm and many joined him at the games table.

Tottenham stars entertain kids at One Junior Party

Belgian winger Nacer Chadli mingled with the young Tottenham fans over a table of player cards, while Son watched on in a gilet as the kids partook in football video games.

Spurs are lining up various potential forward options for next month’s transfer window with West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino and former Man City striker Alvaro Negredo named as options.

EPL Roundup: Arsenal and Manchester City win, Manchester United held at Crystal Palace

Swansea 0-3 Arsenal

Neither side were able to open the scoring in the first half with the biggest highlight being Hector Bellerin making a quick sprint back to deny Bafetimbi Gomis from scoring after he beat Petr Cech in a one-on-one situation. At the other end, it was Joel Campbell who came close with a curling effort from outside the box which left Lukasz Fabianski rooted but the shot went wide of the post. It was one of Arsenal’s most disappointing halves of the season.

But the Gunners started the second half brightly with Olivier Giroud scoring in the 49th minute from a corner kick sent in by Mesut Ozil. It was the 2000th goal scored by an Arsenal player during Arsene Wenger's reign in the French striker's 150th game.

Arsenal were able to catch Swansea offside a number of times with Andre Ayew almost getting on the scoresheet if not for the linesman’s flag and a sliding Bellerin who blocked the shot and collided painfully with the post. 

Laurent Koscielny then doubled Arsenal’s lead when Fabianski failed to collect a cross after colliding with the French defender in the box. Giroud had also leapt to get to the cross but the referee allowed play to go on after the Polish goalkeeper spilt it, allowing Koscielny to slot it into an empty net. 

Arsenal then made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute when Mesut Ozil’s cross from the left flank was sent into the box and Joel Campbell arrived to slot it into the opposite corner. That was how the match ended as the Gunners claimed a famous victory against the Swans.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United

The Red Devils had the majority of the possession at Selhurst Park. Anthony Martial had a decent half creating chances and drawing fouls but in spite of the United fans pleading for their side to attack, it was Palace who had more shots on target in the first half. But both sides went into the break with no goals on the score sheet.

Manchester United failed to get past Crystal Palace

The second half started on a bad note for United as both Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling were booked within seven minutes. Louis van Gaal then brought on Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini for Darmian and Schweinsteiger but it was still Palace making more use of the ball. Attempts by Scott Dann, Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon were either saved or missed the target. Juan Mata was then replaced by Jesse Lingard in the 78th minute to give United more attacking impetus. 

But in spite of having more possession, United only came away with a point, with only one shot on target against Alan Pardew’s side.

Manchester City 2-1 Norwich City

Manuel Pellegrini Kelechi Iheanacho his first Premier League start alongside Wilfried Bony as the table-toppers took on Norwich City. Although fans expected a goal fest with the Canaries having one of the worst defences in the league. But they managed to keep the Sky Blues at bay for the good part of an hour. But they finally broke through in the 67th minute when Kevin De Bruyne’s cross from a corner kick was powerfully headed in by Nicolas Otamendi near the penalty spot.

Joe Hart then made a mistake leading to the Norwich equaliser. The English goalkeeper failed to collect a cross from the right flank and dropped the ball right in front of Cameron Jerome who was literally on the goal line when he tapped it in. But City restored the lead in the 89th minute after Russell Martin was sent off for a handball in the box and Yaya Toure scored from the spot.

Yaya Toure scored from the penalty spot for Manchester City against Crystal Palace

Aleksandar Kolarov had a chance to extend the lead in injury time when City got a penalty but the full-back shot wide. But the score stayed 2-1 to ensure City stayed at the top of the table. 

Watford 2-0 West Ham

The home side took the lead when Odion Ighalo scored from a tap-in in the 39th minute after some good work from Nathan Ake on the left flank. The Nigerian striker scored again two minutes into the second half with a shot from the centre of the box that flew into the top left corner. The match ended 2-0 in Watford’s favour, giving them all three points. 

West Brom 2-3 Leicester City 

The first goal was scored in the 30th minute when Salomon Rondon got on the scoresheet with a header from a tight angle near the edge of the six-yard box. The Venezuelan was the first to a cross from the corner kick sent in by Stephane Sessegnon to give the Baggies the lead.

But Riyad Mahrez equalised in the 57th minute with a left-footed volley at the edge of the six-yard box after Marc Albrighton sent in a cross from the left flank. The Algerian midfielder then gave the Foxes the lead minutes later but it looked like he was offside. 

Jamie Vardy continued his goalscoring run in the Premier League

Jamie Vardy then extended his goalscoring run by grabbing his 11th goal in the league – his eighth in a eight consecutive matches. But West Brom scored a second in the 84th minute with Rickie Lambert converting from the penalty spot after Nathan Dyer fouled Callum McManaman in the box. 

Newcastle 0-0 Stoke City

TEAM NEWS: Rooney keeps place in Man Utd team

The England striker has had a dismal start to the season, having scored just twice in nine Premier League appearances, but he remains at the spearhead of his side's attack

Wayne Rooney has kept his place in the Manchester United starting XI for Saturday's game against Crystal Palace.

There have been increasing calls for Rooney to be dropped from the first-team as his poor form continues, with the striker having scored just two goals in nine Premier League appearances this season.

However, he remains the spearhead of Louis van Gaal's attack heading into the game at Selhurst Park.

Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata are in support of the England attacker, with Memphis Depay absent through injury.

Daley Blind starts in the centre of defence alongside Chris Smalling, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin sit deep in midfield.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Axel Tuanzebe has been included in the squad for the first time, with the central defender taking a place on the bench.

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Martial; Rooney. Subs: Romero, Tuanzebe, Young, Carrick, Lingard, Pereira, Fellaini.

Crystal Palace starting XI: Hennessey; Kelly, Dann, Delaney (c), Ward; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie; Gayle. Subs: Speroni, Hangeland, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, Sako, Bamford.

Manchester United’s limitations on show again in Palace draw

Louis van Gaal’s side were lucky to avoid defeat at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace’s Damien Delaney exchanges words with Manchester United’s Ander Herrera during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Crystal Palace 0 Manchester United 0

Manchester United lost ground in the race for the Premier League title with a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace that could easily have ended in defeat.

Against their improving opponents, United again struggled to convince with a predictable, sluggish display that leaves them at risk of falling outside of the division’s top four.

The starting line-ups of each team suggested that this fixture’s outcome would be decided by whether Palace’s pace, via Jason Puncheon, Dwight Gayle, Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, or the intelligence and composure of the visiting Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Wayne Rooney would prevail.

In the game’s opening stages, it was unquestionably Palace who provided the greater threat. Gayle forced a reasonable, second-minute save from David de Gea when shooting from close range after Matteo Darmian had clumsily conceded possession, and soon after the goalkeeper reacted even more impressively when tipping Bolasie’s powerful, goal-bound shot from the right on to the bar.

Within a minute those present witnessed another fine save from De Gea, this time when Scott Dann’s header from Yohan Cabaye’s corner was tipped over, though thereafter the expensively assembled visitors began to recover some control.

Palace had lost their previous three fixtures, conceding a total of eight times, and perhaps expectedly their early confidence began to dwindle.

Rooney watched his 25th-minute curling free-kick comfortably palmed away by Palace’s Wayne Hennessey and then hesitated when – with both time and space to score following Anthony Martial’s classy through-ball – struggling to control possession and allowing Hennessey to collect the loose ball.

Palace’s one dimension had been exposed, yet for all of United’s superior quality it became apparent why they had failed to score during their past two games, the second a Capital One Cup defeat by Middlesbrough that also went to extra-time.

Again they played with such caution, as was the case throughout almost all of last season and as has also been for much of this. Angel di Maria has already been one expensive casualty of Louis van Gaal’s reign, and on this evidence there are several who could be the next.

Such unremarkable performances could previously be excused, owing to the players adjusting to their manager’s methods – and Van Gaal working with a largely-inherited squad – but as he has since spent heavily their lack of direction is no longer acceptable.

It almost felt an admission of guilt when, with Palace again improving – albeit without testing De Gea – and United seemingly bereft of ideas, the manager substituted two of his summer signings, Darmian and Bastian Schweinsteiger, for two of those signed before his 2014 appointment, Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young.

Palace resiliently defended in the game’s closing stages with United targeting Fellaini with repeated long balls, but without the injured Connor Wickham and Marouane Chamakh they lacked their own focal point in attack.

After Dann and Cabaye had again threatened, Bolasie sent another late close-range header over the crossbar when well placed to score, but despite his failure to do so a point and a clean sheet – given Palace’s recent run and the ambitions of their opposition – represented a positive result.

Watford 2 West Ham 0

High-flying West Ham crashed back to earth with a bump as Odion Ighalo inspired Watford to a 2-0 win at Vicarage Road.

Slaven Bilic’s side may have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on the road this season, but they came a cropper against the Hornets.

Ighalo claimed he had opened the scoring in the 38th minute by converting Nathan Ake’s cross, but Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell had actually turned the ball into his own net.

But their was no doubting the scorer when Ighalo doubled their lead just after the interval with a clinical strike.

West Ham, meanwhile, had James Collins sent off as their unbeaten record away from home came to a sorry end.

West Brom 2 Leicester 3

Jamie Vardy continued his stunning form with another goal as Leicester edged past West Brom. The England striker has now scored in eight straight Premier League games as he sealed the Foxes’ 3-2 win at The Hawthorns.

He is now just two games away from equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy’s all-time record set in 2003 and is the league’s top scorer with 11 goals in as many matches.

Riyad Mahrez had already scored twice – although his second should have been disallowed for offside – as the visitors remain unbeaten on the road.

Salomon Rondon’s second goal in two games put the Baggies ahead but they missed the chance to record three successive wins for the first time since 2012.

Rickie Lambert scored his first goal for Albion from the penalty spot late on but it could not rescue the hosts.

Newcastle 0 Stoke 0

Goalkeeper Jack Butland was the hero as Stoke left Newcastle with a hard-earned point as the Magpies once again failed to make the most of their chances.

Butland made two second-half saves from Moussa Sissoko, including a stunning effort with seven minutes remaining, and others from Ayoze Perez and substitute Jamaal Lascelles having needed the help of a post to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic before the break in front of a crowd of 47,139.

He more than anyone prevented Steve McClaren’s men from securing the win they needed to ease the pain of their derby defeat at Sunderland, and they remain deep in trouble with only one Premier League win to their name so far this season.

Manchester United held to scoreless draw by Crystal Palace

Manchester United drew 0-0 for the second consecutive English Premier League game as Louis van Gaal's men failed to find a route through a stern Crystal Palace defence at Selhurst Park.

United, beaten at Old Trafford in the League Cup by Middlesbrough on Thursday (AEDT), played out a goalless stalemate with Manchester City last weekend and failed to find the net once again as Alan Pardew's side held firm on Sunday (AEDT).

Palace welcomed former United winger Wilfried Zaha back into their starting line-up, but he was outshone by Yannick Bolasie on the opposite flank.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international rattled the crossbar inside 10 minutes as Palace applied the early pressure.

United soon found their feet, but were bereft of ingenuity despite their dominance of possession - a Wayne Rooney free-kick that forced a routine save from Wayne Hennessey was their best effort of the first half.

Yohan Cabaye, recovering from a knock sustained in the 5-1 League Cup thrashing at City in midweek to retain his place in the starting line-up, Scott Dann and Dwight Gayle were all unable to take second-half chances, leaving Palace winless in 13 Premier League clashes with United.

United made two changes in defence with Matteo Darmian replacing the injured Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind coming in for Phil Jones at centre-back.

But Van Gaal's side looked shaky at the back in the opening stages and would have fallen behind in the 10th minute had David de Gea not got the slightest of touches on Bolasie's effort to turn it onto the bar.

De Gea came to United's rescue once more two minutes later, leaping up to palm over a header from Dann after Cabaye's corner.

The visitors eventually took control of possession, but struggled to build anything positive against a robust Palace team.

Hennessey was not tested until the 25th minute, when Rooney fired a 25-yard free-kick over the wall that the Palace goalkeeper was able to get across to and save.

Hennessey thwarted Rooney again six minutes later, exposing the striker's lack of pace by rushing out to stop him from latching onto an incisive pass from Anthony Martial.

There were chances for Gayle and Ander Herrera before the interval, but neither player made strong enough contact with the ball to trouble the opposing.

Goal-scoring opportunities remained at a premium for the two sides during a scrappy start to the second half, with De Gea and Hennessey acting as spectators.

Although Palace grew into the game and controlled the ball, it took them until the 71st minute to carve out a decent opening.

Joel Ward's delivery from the right found Cabaye unmarked 10 yards out, but he was unable to steer his volley on target. Dann looped a header wide before Gayle had a shot saved by De Gea in the 76th minute.

There were chances for both sides to steal all three points late on, but Damien Delaney got a crucial block on a Martial shot before Bolasie headed over from a corner in stoppage time.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United and Swansea 0-3 Arsenal RESULTS: Plus the rest of the Barclays Premier League action