Michael Oliver is the best referee in the Premier League... he got most of his calls right in the Manchester derby
- Michael Oliver handled the difficult Manchester derby well, says Graham Poll
- Late on Oliver correctly booked Ander Herrera for diving in the City area
- He should however have cautioned Gabriel Jesus for similar simulation
Michael Oliver is the best referee in the Premier League at present and overall he handled this difficult match well.
Confident enough to caution Kyle Walker in just the fourth minute for a poor challenge on Ander Herrera and good enough to turn down close penalty calls.
Oliver’s best quality is his calmness and even when this derby threatened to boil over he looked in control.
The Premier League's best referee Michael Oliver handled the difficult Manchester derby well
If he assesses his own performance with a critical eye, which he will, I hope he recognises a slight inconsistency in cautioning Herrera for a dive but allowing Gabriel Jesus to escape sanction for an equally clear dive.
He might also like to consider playing less advantage when tempers are fraying and tackles are flying in.
That apart this was another assured performance and one which will do nothing to harm his reputation here and across Europe.
Late in the game Oliver correctly booked Ander Herrera for diving in the City area
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