One of the many nice things about actually attending a top game is the chance to watch the referee in action. The TV cameras quite obviously don't dwell on the ref, but Phil Dowd was fascinating to watch at Wembley yesterday.
One of the most pleasing aspects of Dowd's performance was the amount of work he did in talking to players off the ball. He was constantly using the few seconds for fly-kicks or goal kicks to have a quick chat, usually with a Chelsea or Liverpool midfielder who wanted to complain or make a point. Dowd would place a hand around the player's waist or on his shoulder to give a quick explanation or just to listen and promise to keep an eye on someone.
The game wasn't the most challenging Dowd will ever have, although the pressure of his biggest ever appointment will have kept the Adrenalin running throughout. The game was played in generally good spirits and his biggest challenge was dealing with the decision by his assistant not to agree with Liverpool claims that Andy Carroll's header had crossed the goal-line.
The linesman's decision was difficult but spot on. The ball was almost over the line, but not completely, and that's what counts, even if it's just by and inch or two. Chelsea - and Dowd - breathed again.
Dowd dealt firmly with Drogba's cynical habit of deliberately slowing down the game when his team are under pressure by feigning injury. The first time Drogba went down, well into the second half after Liverpool had pulled a goal back, he called for a stretcher and made it very clear to Drogba and the Chelsea medical staff that it was the first and last time he would be allowed to waste time.
Dowd also made sure he took his time in allowing Drogba back on the field after the injury. He ensured the ball had left the Liverpool half before waving him back on and then added a big five minutes of added on time to take into account the stoppage.
So all in all an excellent day for the match officials, who will have deserved their beer or three last night.
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