Having already been booked for diving, and having scored an equalising goal, a lot of focus was on Sadio Mane during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
With the spotlight on himself, Mane decided he didn’t quite like the fact that Palace had taken the ball off him, so he just picked it up.
Deliberate handball, a second yellow card and a second sending off of the season for Mane, right?
Nope.
Referee Neil Swarbrick, aka Swarbs, just let Mane off with it.
It was, for me, the highlight of the game and as such, it is the subject of my latest technical analysis feature.
The Build Up
After a deep cross from Palace’s left, Andy Robertson and Mane make a bit of a mess of the clearance, leaving the Senegalese star with some defending to do.
Going Down
Mane realises he’s in a spot of bother so, in his mind, he clearly decides that as one of the best wingers in the league, he’s going to give himself a free-kick, fair enough, he’s earned a few favours, so he hits the deck, again.
The Handball
As Palace players swarm all over him, Mane, with expert precision, reaches out his right arm and pulls the ball towards himself. Wonderful technique.
Having not given a foul on Mane, Swarbs has to award a free kick for handball, after all, the lad has literally just decided to pick the ball up.
The Bottle Job
Let’s face it, Swarbs bottled it.
Despite the protests of Yohan Cabaye – who, for the record, is an absolute s***house – Swarbs has no intention of giving a second yellow, or at least it appears that way.
Sneaking Off
However, you can’t be too careful these days, so Bobby Firmino decides to get Mane to sneak off, head down, out of the vision of Swarbs.
Clever that.
The Aftermath
Liverpool keep 11 players on the pitch.
Loris Karius saves the resulting free-kick.
Mane gets subbed off for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Oxlade-Chamberlain helps set up Mo Salah’s goal.
Liverpool win 2-1.
Palace lose.
Unlucky Roy, mate.
We’ll have Wilf Zaha off you if you go down.
Ta.
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