Honest Mistakes Week Two - A Distraction From Aliens
Week two and Celtic travel to Hibernian whilst the plucky challengers were at “home” to Motherwell. I say “home”. Given the flood of helpful information for their supporters keeping them informed of why a small two-month construction project has overrun so badly, it is only safe to assume that the hibernating aliens under the Copland Road stand are still in negotiations for their surrender. Perhaps E.T. thinks he is the peepul?
The impact of big calls being incorrect can then be evaluated using the framework outlined here -> Honest Mistakes in the SPFL.
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11/08/24 Hibernian vs Celtic
Incident 1
Referee: Nick Walsh
Game Minute: 40th
Score At Time: 0-2
Incident: Johnston gets a cross into the box before contact from a Hibernian defenders
Outcome: No decision
Evidence: Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2024/25: 11/08/2024 - BBC iPlayer
At 6:44
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict
Initial on field decision: No foul.
Johnston on right flank gets a cross into box as Hibs defender stretches to make the block.
There is a coming together as Johnston crosses and Johnston goes down.
I believe that the Hibs player has the right to stretch and not make it easy for the Celtic man to get his cross away. There appears to be some secondary contact from the Hibs players momentum as the cross is played but on balance I do feel this contact was acceptable contact and not enough to warrant a foul and penalty decision.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
Incident 2
Referee: Nick Walsh
Game Minute: 40th
Score At Time: 0-2
Incident: Kuhn gets a shot in and the ball rebounds to him under challenge in the box
Outcome: No decision
Evidence: Sportscene - Premiership Highlights 2024/25: 11/08/2024 - BBC iPlayer
At 7:30
Yorkshire Whistler Verdict
Initial on field decision: No foul.
Kuhn reacts quickest to a rebound and just as he shoots, a last ditch stretching block by a Hibs player is made. Initially in real time I suspected he had made contact with the ball first. Upon watching the replay I don’t see anything to change my opinion. Kuhn is also unlucky as after the block is made the ball bounces back onto him last before crossing the line for a goal kick.
Verdict: CORRECT decision
Expected Points Outcome: No impact
Summary
My thanks as always to the Yorkshire Whistler.
A relatively quiet week which is a relief given all press attention is on Martian aliens. Hmmmm.
In terms of the overall position:
Celtic have 0.08 LESS expected points due to the impact of Honest Mistakes.
Celtic lead by two points after two matches.
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