For Valour

What a courageous performance referee Mark Halsey put up in the Everton v Chelsea game at Goodison. In the 16th minute he imperiously waved away penalty claims when Boulahrouz unceremoniously hauled down Andy Johnson, then watched indulgently as Mourinho embarked upon a little Portuguese tantrum in order to accuse the Everton striker of diving (a subject about which the Special One is, of course, entirely innocent).

Twenty minutes later, his worst nightmare occurred. Anichebe was unloaded by Boulahrouz and the world and his wife (apart from Mourinho of course) could see that this time there was no way out. So naturally Halsey hesitated just long enough to allow his linesman to show the necessary bottle and signal the spot kick.

Halsey must have felt guilty though. Two minutes later he awarded Chelsea a free kick in a dangerous position for a tackle (just a tackle!) on Ashley Cole.

He needn’t have worried. Chelsea got three good goals and won the game anyway.