Ref Review: Blues, Norwich & Saints suffer

Thibaut Courtois: Chelsea goalkeeper was sent off against Swansea

Chelsea, Norwich and Southampton were on the wrong end of bad refereeing decisions over the weekend, according to our Ref Review panel.

Refereeing decisions are regularly the source of debate among fans, pundits, players and managers so this season a five-strong TEAMtalk panel will be passing judgement on every red card (or avoidance of one), every penalty and any other major incident leading to a goal.

We'll also keep a tally of the decisions to go for and against each team throughout the season in an attempt to settle the never-ending debate about whether certain clubs are favoured more than others by Premier League referees.

Week 1

Leicester penalty v Sunderland: There was no debate whatsoever about this one, with all five of our panel agreeing it was absolutely the right decision to point to the spot after Lee Cattermole brought down Riyad Mahrez.

Disallowed Norwich goal v Crystal Palace: This was slightly more difficult to decide on. Free-kicks are regularly awarded for high feet, and there is no doubt that Cameron Jerome's foot was head high as he hooked the ball over the shoulder and into his net in the six-yard box. However, his boot was surely far enough away from Joel Ward's head for it not to be deemed dangerous play. Even more pertinently, none of us could ever remember a previous incident of an overhead kick goal being ruled out. After some debate, we were just about unanimous that the goal should have stood.

Thibaut Courtois red card v Swansea: We were in little doubt that Michael Oliver was right to show Swansea a penalty when Courtois brought down Bafetimbi Gomis inside the area, but there was no unanimous agreement on whether the decision to show the Chelsea goalkeeper was also correct.

It was argued that, had Courtois not made contact with Gomis, he most definitely would have had a clear goalscoring opportunity with possibly only Gary Cahill to beat, but a four to one majority felt the presence of the defender and the fact that Gomis would have had to score from a difficult angle meant the wrong colour of card was shown.

Aleksandar Mitrovic avoiding red card v Southampton: A scything challenge on Matt Targett earned the Newcastle new boy a booking within 20 seconds of him coming on as a substitute at St James' Park on Sunday, but our panel all agreed with the decision to show him only a yellow card.

However, there was also unanimous agreement - including from Steve McClaren - that Mitrovic would have been shown a second yellow - at least - had referee Craig Pawson spotted his flailing aim into Maya Yoshida.

Nathaniel Clyne handball v Stoke: Stoke appealed for a penalty when Ibrahim Afellay's effort was blocked by the hands by Clyne, but our panel all felt there was little the new Liverpool right-back could do to get out of the way of the ball.

Dejan Lovren v Stoke: The Croatian was booked for an elbow on Mame Diouf in the second half of Liverpool's win at Stoke on Sunday, and although such offences are often punished by a red card, our panel again unanimously agreed that the right decision had been made on this occasion.

For and Against

Crystal Palace - 1 for

Newcastle - 1 for

Swansea - 1 for

Chelsea - 1 against

Norwich - 1 against

Southampton - 1 against

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Power Rankings: Irons, Swans & Villa lead

West Ham: Claim maximum points for win at Arsenal

West Ham, Swansea, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace make up the top four of our inaugural edition of the Premier League Power Rankings.

We're not going to be petitioning FIFA for a change to the points system any time soon, but imagine if points were awarded based on the difficulty of the result achieved.

Chelsea and Swansea both claimed a point each for their draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, for example, despite it being a far better result for the visitors than it was the defending Premier League champions.

So, as an alternative to the official table, this season we'll be using an algorithm based on bookmaker odds and winning margins to award points from 0.5 up to 10, ensuring the teams that attack and go for glory with the odds stacked against them are rewarded more than those teams that claim their points through a series of 1-0 home wins over the league's struggling teams.

Week 1

West Ham - 10: A 2-0 win at Arsenal earns West Ham, who were 11/1 long shots to take the three points at Emirates Stadium, a maximum 10-point haul.

Swansea - 5: Their draw at Chelsea may only have been worth a point in the real world, but holding the champions on their own turf is worth five Power Rankings points.

Aston Villa - 4: They may have been up against a newly-promoted side in Bounemouth, but Villa were outsiders with the bookmakers yet got their season off to the perfect start.

Crystal Palace - 4: Palace were shorter odds than Villa to win at Norwich, but a two-goal winning margin at Carrow Road sees them too pick up four points.

Watford - 3: Like Swansea, Watford pick up extra points for an away draw having caused a shock against Everton at Goodison Park.

Leicester - 2: The first team to lose a point on their real tally is Leicester, who were odds-on favourites to beat Sunderland and were made to pay for conceding a second.

Liverpool - 2: Liverpool are also worse off in the Power Rankings than in reality having claimed only a one-goal win at Stoke, earning no bonus points.

Manchester United - 1: Louis van Gaal's side, meanwhile, lose out on two points in our alternative reality having edged their way past Tottenham in a game they were heavy odds-on favourites to win.

Newcastle - 1: A 2-2 draw against Southampton, who finished seventh last season, earns Newcastle a point, just as it did in reality.

Southampton - 1: Saints also claim a point from a game in which neither side were particularly more fancied than the other.

Everton - 0-5: A 2-2 home draw against newly-promoted Watford earns Watford only half a point, the smallest haul available.

Chelsea - 0.5: The same applies to Chelsea, who were the biggest favourites of the weekend yet only struggled their way to a draw against Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal - 0: You get nothing in the real world for a defeat - and nothing in this game either!

Bournemouth - 0: Beaten at home by Aston Villa - no points.

Norwich - 0: A home defeat to Crystal Palace leaves them on zero for now.

Stoke - 0: Philippe Coutinho's late screamer leaves Mark Hughes' side empty-handed.

Sunderland - 0: It wasn't exactly the start to the new season Dick Advocaat will have wanted.

Tottenham - 0: Mauricio Pochettino's side must wait another week to get off the mark.

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Stoke 0 Liverpool 1: Brendan Rodgers delighted after revenge victory at Stoke

Brendan Rodgers praised Liverpool's "character" after they banished the memories of last season’s thrashing at Stoke with a 1-0 win on Sunday.

Liverpool suffered their heaviest-ever Premier League defeat when going down 6-1 to Mark Hughes’s side on the final day of last season.

However, the tables were reversed this time around as Philippe Coutinho’s late strike handed the visitors a winning start to the new campaign.

And Rodgers was delighted with how well his team defended as they kept a clean sheet, just three months after shipping six goals for the first time in the Premier League.

“I was pleased with both the performance and result today,” he said. “I think we showed a different type of will and character than last time we were here.

“We defended really, really well with good organisation and we knew that if we could hold the game and stay tight, as the game wore on then obviously our quality could come through. And it worked perfectly for us and I thought the players were outstanding.”

Rodgers did concede, though, that there was an element of luck to Liverpool’s winning goal, with the Reds boss about to substitute Coutinho just seconds before his winner.

“He has only come back into the fold a lot later than the others,” Rodgers said. “We changed his positions, he started centrally, and you obviously want to keep him on the pitch for as long as possible.

“But we felt that maybe towards the end of the game Glen [Johnson] was going forward more - and he is good at getting forward - and we were losing out defensively on that side. And you try and leave it for as long as you can, as he has that magic.

“What a goal though – his body work to turn out Stevey Sidwell, who is a really strong player, and to get away and hit the strike at that late stage of the game, and the first game, was a wonderful, wonderful goal.”

The Liverpool coach also spoke highly of new £32.5m signing Christian Benteke after the Belgian’s competitive debut for the club, despite the striking not scoring.

“I thought Christian was outstanding,” said Rodgers. “He showed all the elements of his game today: his touch, hold-up play, movement in behind. He always really occupies a back four, on his own at times, and it is important to have that ability to be unpredictable.”

Rodgers, however, refused to get carried away with Liverpool’s victory, even though it came on a ground where they have traditionally tended to struggle in the Premier League era.

“We still have a lot of work to do with the new players coming in, but certainly today was a great start for us. It is only the first game of the season and there is still a hell of a long way to go,” he added.

“We had to come here and put on a performance and win. It is difficult to come to Stoke at any time and win, but to come on the back of where we were last season really shows you the character and personality now in the team.

“It was a great victory, but it is way, way too early - I always say assess it after 10 games and see how the table looks then. It is a big win for us, but we also know that it is tough for our opponents as well. Once we click into gear and get our game going as well, then we will be a difficult team to play against.

“Firstly after a long pre-season it is always good to get a good performance and result in your first game, and we did that, so there is development still left in the team. But today we are absolutely delighted and we will work hard now and get ready for Bournemouth.”

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Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho strike hands Rodgers revenge

Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday thanks to Philippe Coutinho’s late wonder strike.

The match appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw before Coutinho unleashed a dipping, curling effort from 25 yards out to hand the visitors an unlikely three points.

And the win for Liverpool will have eased the pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after the Reds lost 6-1 at Stoke on the final day of last campaign.

The visitors began the game with five players who had featured in that drubbing back in May, while Rodgers also handed debuts to the likes of Christian Benteke, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and James Milner.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes, on the other hand, gave first starts to former Barcelona attacker Ibrahim Afellay and defender Glen Johnson, against his old team, although Bojan Krkic was not fit enough to feature as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

However, in stark contrast to last season’s goal fest at the Britannia, the opening period was stale and lacklustre as both teams made a cagey start to the contest, although Stoke will still have been disappointed not to have gone in ahead at the break.

The Potters first good opening came after just eight minutes when the ball broke kindly to former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam, however, the Scot scuffed his shot when really he should have at least hit the target.

And 10 minutes before half-time Stoke – in front of the watching Xherdan Shaqiri in the Britannia stands – had an even better chance to break the deadlock through right-back Johnson on his first start for his new team.

The lively Jonathan Walters fed Marco Van Ginkel down Stoke's right flank and after the Dutchman’s deflected cut back had been cleared off the line by Martin Skrtel, the ball was fed back to Johnson, only for the former Liverpool full back to blaze over from six yards out.

That glaring miss – Johnson’s last goal for the Reds actually came against Stoke at Anfield back in December – meant the two teams went in all square at the break, unlike in their last meeting when Stoke were 5-0 ahead at the interval.

The visitors knew they had to improve in the second period after not having a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes, despite some nice touches from their £32.5m signing Benteke, and they did.

However, Rodgers’s side were still grateful to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for keeping the scores level after the Belgium international produced a fine reflex save to keep out Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf’s close-range effort after 64 minutes.

Thereafter, Liverpool appeared to grow in confidence, with the Reds finally have an effort on target through centre-back Dejan Lovren midway through the second half, before Coutinho gave notice of his intent by going on a mazy dribble through a posse of Stoke players, only for the Brazil international’s goalbound effort to be blocked by the home defence.

Both sides opted to make full use of their benches, with Rodgers handing new boy Roberto Firmino his Liverpool debut in place of the impressive Jordan Ibe for the final 12 minutes of the evenly contested encounter.

But it was Firmino’s compatriot who settled matters as, like he did on so many occasions, the little midfielder produced a moment of brilliance to light up the Britannia and break Stoke hearts.

Picking up possession of the ball midway in Stoke’s half, Coutinho turned past Steve Sidwell before beating Stoke ‘keeper Jack Butland with a sensational long-range strike worthy of winning any game.

Player ratings

Stoke City: Butland (6), Johnson (7), Cameron (6), Muniesa (8), Pieters (6), Van Ginkel (7), Whelan (6), Walters (7), Adam (6) Afellay (7), Diouf (7).

Subs: Odemwingie (6), Sidwelln (6), Wollscheid (6).

Liverpool: Mignolet (7), Clyne (7), Lovren (7), Gomez (7), Skrtel (8), Milner (6), Coutinho (9), Henderson (6), Lallana (6), Ibe (8), Benteke (7).

Subs: Firmino (6), Can (6).

Man of the match: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).

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Stoke 0 Liverpool 1: Liverpool ratings

Philippe Coutinho: Scores from long range against Stoke

Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez made encouraging debuts for Liverpool, but it was Philippe Coutinho who stole the show in the win at Stoke.

TEAMtalk rates Liverpool's players from the drab 1-0 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Five of the players that started the embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium in the final game of last season made the starting line-up on Sunday and although the scoreline was more favourable to the visitors, the attacking fluidity was again missing.

Simon Mignolet: Quickly off his line on a couple of occasions, but had little to do on an uneventful afternoon. 7/10

Joe Gomez: Booked on his debut and looked more nervous early on. Almost played the ball into danger across his own box in the second half, but made an important drive forward from which Liverpool scored. 6.5/10

Nathaniel Clyne: Solid debut and showed enough to suggest he will prove to be a good signing. 6/10

Martin Skrtel: Booked after coming through the back of Diouf and had his hands full with the Stoke man, but stood up to the task. 6/10

Dejan Lovren: Also received a yellow card for clattering Diouf, but looked solid enough and kept Stoke's chances to just one effort on target. 6/10

James Milner: Great link-up with Henderson in the second half and produced a Milner-like performance on his debut. Mr Consistent. 7/10

Jordan Henderson: Not seen much as an attacking force, but provided a good screen in front of Liverpool's two centre-backs. 6/10

Jordan Ibe: Replaced on 78 minutes of a frustrating afternoon. Kept his width, showed neat control and worked hard, but rarely got the better of his marker. 6/10

Philippe Coutinho: Kept looking for the ball and eventually grabbed the winner with a superb trademark dipping strike and was Liverpool's most potent attacking threat all afternoon. Won man of the match. 7.5/10

Adam Lallana: Made way for Emre Can on 62 minutes after making little impact. Not a good start to the season. 5/10

Christian Benteke: Did not have one cross from wide to feed from and had very little service in general, but kept battling away. Saw a second-half shot charged down. 6/10

Substitutes

Emre Can: Replaced Lallana on 62 minutes and failed to make an impact. 5/10

Roberto Firmino: Came on for Ibe on 78 minutes and had little involvement. Too little time to get a mark.

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Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Coutinho strike hands Rodgers revenge at the Britannia

Philippe Coutinho's long-range strike won the game for Liverpool late on

Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday thanks to Philippe Coutinho’s late wonder strike.

The match appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw before Coutinho unleashed a dipping, curling effort from 30 yards out to hand the visitors all three points.

And the win for Liverpool will have eased the pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after the Reds lost 6-1 at Stoke on the final day of last season.

More to follow shortly…

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Fenway Sports Group convinced Brendan Rodgers is right man for Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers: Told a top-four finish is his target

Liverpool's American owners remain convinced Brendan Rodgers is the right man for the job - but have warned him they expect a top-four finish.

Doubts were raised over Rodgers' future after they finished last season in sixth spot and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

And when chairman Tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon flew to Merseyside for their end of season review after the 6-1 final game battering at Stoke, some questioned whether Rodgers' time at Anfield might be coming to an end.

But after surviving their end of season review, FSG supported Rodgers by not only backing a change of his backroom team, but also by sanctioning an £80million transfer splurge, with Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino among the big-money signings to arrive.

And while they still feel Rodgers is the right man to lead the club, they have also made it clear that they expect a return to the Champions League next season, with fourth place (or higher) their target for this term.

Werner said: "I think our track record demonstrates that our approach and attitude is very much focused on stability. We have demonstrated that both on and off the pitch.

"We do believe Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward. When we hired Brendan we wanted to see improvement.

"Hopefully when we have a conversation in a year, he and the squad will have demonstrated that we've regained top form again.

"It was vital that we made strong signings this summer and a Champions League spot is always the target."

Werner also rubbished rumours that FSG are looking to sell up and added: "The reality is that we're very much focused on taking the club forward."

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