The Premier League 2024/25

[Salvatore Matrecano]

@PLMatchCentre is the X account showing live updates of VAR decisions allowing you to vent your fury at Atwell & co in real time at the match.
That is if you can get a signal at the match which I never can even though the 20yr old who sits in front of me is permanently glued to his phone. May be best for EM’s blood pressure if he doesn’t follow it.

[Tricky]

Good summary by the BBC of all the various rule changes, theres quite a lot there.


The video assistant referee system will have a higher bar for intervening than before.
The "referee’s call" means that the VAR should only intervene if they can "see without any doubt the on-pitch official has made a clear mistake".
Otherwise the initial decision will stand. That means fewer stoppages for marginal decisions to be repeatedly rewatched.
"Let’s have the confidence to not be too forensic on our analysis," is what refereeing boss Howard Webb has said.
The Premier League Match Centre account, external on social media platform X will post "near-live" explanations of VAR decisions.
It plans to show more replays and explain decisions on the big screens in stadiums, too.
We will see a significant drop in stoppage time this season - because of a change in timing goal celebrations.
Until now time was added on for every second between the ball hitting the net and the kick-off being taken.
Now the clock will only be started after 30 seconds. So a game with six goals would have three minutes less of stoppage time.
Away from VAR, attacking players blocking or obstructing opposition players at a set-piece will be penalised more strictly.
Ben White was trending on social media with the suggestion the Arsenal defender's actions from corners will result in more opposition free-kicks.
The handball law will be relaxed a tad. Players have been told by the Premier League they do not have to move with their arms rigidly by their sides or behind their backs.
The position of their arm or hand will be judged in relation to the movement of their body.
"We get a sense that we give too many handballs for actions that are quite normal and justifiable," said Webb.
"The guidance to officials this season is less is more. You will see fewer harsh handball penalties."
Meanwhile, a non-deliberate handball that leads to a penalty will no longer be an automatic booking offence.
During penalties the ball must be on or hanging over the centre of the penalty spot, rather than at any point on the spot.
Encroachment by players into the box when the penalty is taken will only be penalised if it has an impact.
That means if an opposition player has an impact on the kicker or prevents a goal or chance from a rebound.
If it is a penalty taker's team-mate, the encroachment is relevant if they impact or distract the goalkeeper, scores or creates a chance.
Ball boys and girls will be allowed to give a ball to a goalkeeper to take a restart, instead of the keeper having to pick it up off a cone. The multiball system - picking the ball off a cone - will remain for outfield players.
One more tiny change - five substitutes can warm up at the same time on the touchline, up from three.
There will be a new ball this season, the Nike Flight, which is "built with Aerowsculpt technology with grooves debased into the casing, to allow air to travel seamlessly around the ball, delivering truer flight".

One of the biggest things that irks me with regards to today's penaltys is the taker stopping or more or less stopping on his approach and waiting for the keeper to move before striking the ball. I was lead to believe the penalty taker had to run and kick without stopping or hesitating. Goal keepers are standing less and less chance of saving a penalty because the taker is waiting for them to make their move before the ball has been kicked. I really hate that.

[Joe Baker Legend]

Geordies down to 10 men....handbags

https://x.com/The_Forty_Four/status/1824816910342431165

[Sausage Roll]

Wow. Everton getting off to an absolute stinker. 0-3 down and Ashley Young sent off. Maybe 0-4 if it stands.

[Sausage Roll]

Didn't stand. But even so.

[Fumanchew]

Ipswich lasted 45 mins before Liverpool broke them, 38% possession 2 shots on target, no big chances. Hope Ed Sheeran doesn’t come on the pitch at half time to get the fans behind them

[nffc93]

Ipswich lasted 45 mins before Liverpool broke them, 38% possession 2 shots on target, no big chances. Hope Ed Sheeran doesn’t come on the pitch at half time to get the fans behind them

They looked a bit lost at sea at times today. Like us in our first season

[Tricky]

Ipswich lasted 45 mins before Liverpool broke them, 38% possession 2 shots on target, no big chances. Hope Ed Sheeran doesn’t come on the pitch at half time to get the fans behind them

Letsbe Avenue................New song title maybe???  :unsure: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[The reds]

Leicester paying £20m+ for Oliver Skipp - They must be desperate.

[wassy04]

Ivan Toney not in squad today for Brentford, likely to leave. Is this the year they finally go down?! They did cope OK without Toney when he was banned I suppose.

[Sausage Roll]

Ivan Toney not in squad today for Brentford, likely to leave. Is this the year they finally go down?! They did cope OK without Toney when he was banned I suppose.

Oh I do hope so. They look very ropey today. Keep playing themselves into trouble at the back and lucky not to be one down.

And of course as I'm typing that they take the lead.

[The reds]

Chelsea’s squad situation is crazy. Sterling left out today. They’ve got so many players to sell with 12 days to go.