Penalty Free Zone

Manchester United v Liverpool, 22nd January 2006. The eagerly anticipated clash of two giants of the English game and according to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the biggest match of the season. And the referee? None other than Mike Riley, who seems to have become almost indispensable to the big occasion at Old Trafford, where incidentally he happens to have awarded quite a lot of penalties to the home side.

So you can readily imagine Mr Riley’s relief on a day when no penalties were necessary. A day when Rio Ferdinand thundered in a late headed winner from Ryan Giggs free kick. Awarded by you know who. Disputed by Liverpool.