• Plays of the Day

Plays of the Day: Crashley Young

Referee Mark Halsey was put in an awkward position by Ashley Young at Old Trafford © Getty Images

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• News: Ferguson 'had a word' with Young over diving
  
• Match report: Chelsea maul Spurs in cup to book Liverpool showdown
  
• Match report: Rooney takes United five points clear at summit
  

Same old Ashley...
When Sir Alex Ferguson claims "these decisions even themselves out over the course of a season", it might be worth considering the following: Manchester United - following Sunday's win over Aston Villa - have now been gifted two highly debateable penalties in consecutive home matches at the business end of the season, both awarded with the score at 0-0. Ashley Young has also "won" eight penalties since the start of the 2009-10 Premier League, twice as many as any other player in the top flight. And United have now had nine spot-kicks at home in the league this season, the most by a team since Arsenal in 2006/07.

This latest effort from Young was one of his very best, changing direction before keeping that left leg perfectly straight as he twisted his body in the act of falling to the ground. Of course, the fall came before any touch had been administered, but in fairness they do water that Old Trafford pitch heavily before games nowadays. #englishplayersdon'tdive

All aboard the showboat...
Only a lucky few individuals can say in life that they have set up a goal at Old Trafford, but Aston Villa's Nathan Baker can legitimately claim that honour. Reacting to a low cross arriving from the United left, Baker had a chance to clear in front of his own goal, but had the vision to throw in a cheeky stepover - knowing Danny Welbeck would come in and bury it behind him.

You just can't teach that type of thing.

Nothing in it
When Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish reflects on the season and compares his side to the league leaders, he might optimistically conclude that, with the right bounce of the ball or better luck with injuries, Villa might have been a lot closer. Or he might acknowledge the fact that United have scored more first half goals (36) than Villa have managed in total this season (35).

Blatter, are you watching?
The goal-line technology debate has run and run, and it's frankly becoming an embarrassment. Yes Chelsea won their FA Cup semi with Tottenham, and yes they deserved to, but Spurs had an unnecessary mountain to climb when trailing 2-0. In a chaotic goalmouth scramble, Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto performed heroics to keep Juan Mata's effort from crossing the line, or so they thought. Martin Attkinson had a different view, obviously, and gave the goal. How can millions of people at home know something the ref doesn't? Over to you Mr Blatter.

Playground bust-up
Scott Parker saw the red mist in Spurs' cup humiliation, lashing out at John Obi Mikel after the Chelsea midfielder kicked out at the Spurs man a la David Beckham. Parker had reason to feel aggrieved, and Mikel had reason to feel lucky; the Nigerian stayed on the pitch, not like Becks in World Cup 1998.

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