It’s true that referees have a difficult job at the best of times, but when one of the so-called best officials in the league has this much of a shocker it’s hard to feel any sympathy. The Merseyside derby is always a football hotbed, with emotions running high both in the stands and out on the pitch, so it’s up to the man in the middle to ensure things don’t boil over with a commanding display. Given that they say the best referees are those who go unnoticed during games, the media furore surrounding Mark Clattenburg’s performance on Saturday tells it’s own tale. Blues’ fans are often accused of bitterness when it comes to their rivals across the park, but few could argue that on this occasion, their anger was entirely justified, a fact reflected perhaps in the muted celebrations from those Reds’ fans who knew they’d got out of jail. The referee could perhaps be forgiven for one error in a game played at frenetic pace with an abundance of passion, but Clattenburg could not have been more one-sided in his approach if he had donned a red shirt and was guilty of a series of errors, which ultimately prevented Everton taking anything from the match. All too often in today’s game, referees are accused of being influenced by the so-called top teams. Players at Chelsea and Manchester United have a reputation for hounding officials and challenging decisions, often swaying things in their favour as a result over the course of a game. This season, the FA claimed it was encouraging referees to clamp down on this sort of behaviour, with the offenders being punished. Evidently Mr Clattenburg didn’t get his copy of the memo. He may as well have handed over his whistle to either Jamie Carragher or Steven Gerrard and allowed them to officiate the game, such was their contribution to key decisions. Carragher’s constant whinging and whining was a disgrace, and how he wasn’t booked long before he eventually received a yellow for dissent was a mystery to most inside Goodison. Gerrard’s conduct was equally as odious. The midfielder has become a master at conning referees into awarding penalties in his favour and had already planned his nosedive into the box long before Hibbert made any meaningful contact. Yet it was his behaviour after the award of the spot-kick that drew the most contempt. Only he and Clattenburg will know what gem of knowledge was imparted as he walked away, but whatever it was proved enough to influence the referee into replacing the yellow card he already had in his hand with a red one and left Everton reduced to ten men. Clattenburg’s other errors have been well-documented since the game- his failure to red card Dirk Kuyt after his appalling lunge at Phil Neville perhaps the most bizarre. Kuyt’s flimsy attempts after the match to justify his actions were laughable, and regardless of the rules, and the fact that the referee claims to have seen the incident, the FA should intervene and take further action. Had Neville not managed to avoid Kuyt’s two-footed kung-fu style lunge, he would certainly be nursing a broken leg. The fact that no contact was made with the player is no defence. Martial arts was seemingly not the only contact sport Clattenburg was keen to integrate into the match, as Carragher was allowed to wrestle Joleon Lescott to the floor in the dying seconds without punishment in what was as clear-cut a penalty as you’re ever likely to see. The referee of course, thought otherwise, just as he did earlier in the game, when the same two players tussled in the area. So with a vast deal of assistance from an incompetent referee, Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners in this 206th Merseyside derby. To say they didn’t deserve it is a huge understatement. Apart from the opening 20 minutes of the first half, Everton looked comfortable and in control of the game, even after they had been reduced to ten men. Joleon Lescott had the game of his life and was head and shoulders above every player on the pitch. Yakubu had his best game so far in an Everton shirt, showing aggression and determination in abundance. Leon Osman impressed in spells and after a shaky opening, a strong challenge by Phil Jagielka lifted his spirits and he grew in confidence as the game progressed. There were plenty of pluses to take from the game, and the performance deserved at least a point. While Everton could be forgiven for being ungracious in defeat on this occasion, the response from Liverpool, and in particular their manager, to their victory, was undignified and embarrassing. Rafa Benitez spat his dummy out, upset that Everton hadn’t allowed his team to keep the ball and play a passing game. Laughable comments perhaps, along with the decision to defend Kuyt’s horror challenge on Neville, but it was the accusation that Lescott had dived that under Carragher’s rugby tackle that rankled the most. What’s that saying about those in glass houses Rafa? | 
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