Depending on where in the US you hail from, the past two days were either the first really warm and nice weekend of the year or yet another Sisyphian exercise in digging cars out of the snow. Either way, it’s possible you missed some of the best moments from Matchweek 30. If you didn’t catch the controversial red card, the OTHER controversial red card, the crazy acrobatic goals, or the Curious Case Of The Clattered Keepers, we’ll bring you up to speed.
1. Steven Gerrard’s tumultuous cameo in #LIVMUN lasted 38 seconds
With Liverpool trailing 1-0, Steven Gerrard came on as a substitute to start the second half. He took about half a dozen touches, hit a few passes, made a rough tackle, and stamped on Ander Herrera before receiving a red card. Gerrard’s last ever appearance against Manchester United lasted exactly 38 seconds. I guess that’s one way to make a dramatic exit from this rivalry. Liverpool went on to lose 2-1, leaving them five points adrift of a top four spot and their beloved captain suspended for three games (at least).
2. And speaking of controversial red cards…
This one came about a minute and a half after the opening kick-off, which I suppose is an improvement over the Gerrard incident. Craig Dawson committed a foul on Wilfried Bony on the edge of the penalty area, and presumably this constituted a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Referee Neil Swarbrick played advantage before Gareth McAuley cut out the play. Dawson should’ve been shown the red card. Instead, McAuley was sent off in yet another case of mistaken identity. Swarbrick later acknowledged his mistake, but the damage was done. For their part, West Brom put in a heroic performance and held firm against the defending champions. (Just kidding, they lost 3-0.)
3. Harry Kane scored his first Premier League hat-trick