REFEREE Howard Webb deserves praise for the manner in which he handled the Tyne-Wear derby.
Sunderland and Newcastle United produced a full blooded match at the Stadium of Light and I don’t have a problem with that level of commitment on such occasions.
But I did feel sorry for Webb as it was almost impossible to officiate.
Sebastian Larsson’s handball on the line was not given, but I believe Webb deserves credit for not awarding the penalty because there was no way he could have seen it.
He probably knew the player had handled it but with neither himself nor his linesman able to see the incident clearly, he could not point to the spot.
The whole game looked a nightmare to referee but you have to give him credit, especially as he was able to keep both Lee Cattermole and Joey Barton on the same pitch.
He was trying to keep it 11 versus 11 as much as he could but had no choice with Phil Bardsley’s foul.
