Ref Watch: Dermot Gallagher Reviews Arsenal’s Narrow Win Over Man Utd
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has delivered his verdict on the key talking points from Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, as part of his weekly Ref Watch segment on Sky Sports News. The Saliba–Cunha Penalty Call One of the main controversies came in the second half when Matheus Cunha went down inside the box under pressure from William Saliba. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on, and VAR did not intervene. Arsenal’s Winning Goal: Foul on Bayındır? Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori netted the decisive goal, but questions were raised about whether United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır had been impeded in the buildup. Other Talking Points Gallagher also ran through other refereeing controversies from the Premier League’s opening weekend, reminding viewers that many marginal calls—like Cunha’s penalty shout—are left to on-field referees, with VAR reluctant to step in unless a “clear and obvious” error is made. Ref Watch airs every Monday at 9am on Sky Sports News, with Gallagher and guest pundits reviewing the weekend’s biggest refereeing calls.