Lescott should have seen red, but not Balotelli

It's impossible, especially in the real time Howard Webb had to look, to tell if Mario Balotelli deliberately stamped on Scott Parker's head during the 3-2 win for Man City on Sunday. One thing that is certain, however, is that Joleon Lescott should have received a straight red card for a vicious forearm smash to a Tottenham attacker's face.

Balotelli's last minute penalty had Harry Redknapp fuming because the manager was convinced the Italian striker should not have been on the field following a clash with Parker. Parker carries out one of the many impressive tackles he performs in every game and Balotelli stumbles, struggling to stay on his feet. He falls backwards, banging into Parker's face with the back of his leg before jabbing his boot down into the midfielder's face. It's possible the blow was deliberate, but it's impossible to prove. It's also equally possible that the blow was completely accidental. Slo-mo replays tend to convict players, sometimes making accidental contact look measured. In real time, the clash looks accidental from start to finish. It's equally important not to carry prejudice into the game and to make decisions based on what actually happens rather than the chequered past of players.
What is beyond doubt, however, is that Lescott, just outside his area, delivered a hard blow with his forearm and elbow to the jaw of Kaboul (I think it is him anyway). He should have been sent off.
What few people have spotted, however, is how artfully Balotelli won himself the penalty in the 94th minute that won City the match. With the ball played into the area, Balotelli, if he was determined to score, would have hit the ball quickly. Instead, he let it bounce twice and slowed down sharply, probably realising that Ledley King was breathing down his neck. There's no doubt King brought him down, but there remains a question over to what extent the controversial Italian "persuaded" King to foul him.