Video: Paul Scholes Red Card v City

Tackle

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup to the hands of their local rivals Manchester City on Saturday, and the game wasn't without it's talking points. One talking point was the red card to Paul Scholes in which he raised is foot in an attempt to win the ball only to be terribly late and catch a whole load of Pablo Zabaleta's leg rather than any of the ball. Unfortunately, it was worthy of a red card, and there is no debating that, no matter how much you support United and Scholes. 

United went on to of course lose with 10 men, but in all honesty, the way the team played throughout the game, they were not likely to grab a goal and get back into it. It was a rare poor game in which Nani and Valencia were ineffective on the wings, rarely providing any crosses into the box, where the loan striker Berbatov suffered from early missed opportunities and struggled for chances throughout, and where United really missed Wayne Rooney.

Paul Scholes is not known for his precise, perfectly timed tackles - but rather the complete opposite, but at this stage of his career and at such a crucial time in a massive game, it wasn't the best time to commit a red card offence. I recently wrote about the apparent imminent departure of Paul Scholes due to retirement, and that perhaps this game's result could sway his mind into staying for another year at United. However, this incident may sway his mind in the other direction, and may force him into retirement. 

If the United legend does retire at the end of the season, it would be reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane's departure from football; his red card in the World Cup final 2006 with France. Scholes however will have a big part to play in the rest of the season for United, in both the Premier League and Champions League, as United remain on course for the double. 

Pic & Video: Michael Essien Tackle on Jermaine Pennant

Tackle

Michael Essien had already received a red card prior to this horrendous tackle on Jermaine Pennant against Stoke City on Saturday. After seeing this evidence, it should have been another red to add to the statistics, but instead of that, the Chelsea midfielder went unpunished - not even a yellow card.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has been banned for two games by the FA for swearing into a television camera after completing a fantastic hat-trick and stunning comeback for Manchester United. His outburst will see him miss the Manchester derby, and the Premier League game against Fulham as United fight to stay above Arsenal in the title race.

It seems that the FA have punished a player by punishing the club he plays for rather than punishing the player. The banning of Rooney could possibly have an adverse effect on United's FA Cup challenge as well as their title challenge with Arsenal. The banning of Rooney for swearing - which, lets face it, happens every week and done so by every player on the pitch is nothing when a tackle such as the above is committed - something that can break a players leg and wreck a career. 

Rooney's reputation has been damaged even more by this incident and his frustration has been added to by a two match ban, but Jermaine Pennant's career could have been deeply effected, yet there was no punishment but a free-kick. 

Stoke Manager Complains Arsenal are less Disciplined than Stoke

Tackle

Arsene Wenger has complained in the past about Stoke City's aggressive play and crunching tackles, especially after their defender Ryan Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey's leg. But now, Tony Pulis has hit back at Arsenal and Wenger ahead of the match between the two teams at the Emirates on the week-end.

Pulis said:

"Arsenal have got more red cards than us this season, more yellows than us and committed more fouls,"

"It'd also be nice to tell the ref that before Saturday - I just have? Good! People have perceptions and you struggle to change those.

"You speak to the layman and its 'bad old Stoke going to The Emirates.' But the facts don't back up that."

Pulis has obviously looked up the statistics on the two teams in preparation, because what he said is correct. Arsenal have conceded 224 fouls this season to Stoke's 194, and the Gunners have received 4 red cards to the Potters' 1.
The statistics are true, but many of the yellow and red cards Arsenal have received were from silly challenges and not dangerous ones. Wenger agrees:

"He's right. We've got more yellow cards. It's surprising about our yellow cards. Like the other night (against Manchester United) we picked up yellow cards but I thought it was a fair game."

Pulis and Wenger have often had a difference in opinion when it comes to discipline. Wenger and Arsenal fans were furious with the horrific challenge that left the Welsh midfielder, Aaron Ramsey with a terrible broken leg which threatened his career. Pulis argued that his player didn't purposely injure Ramsey, and Shawcross "has no bad blood in him whatsoever", while Wenger called on the FA to act swiftly to severely  punish Shawcross for the tackle.

Pulis is obviously frustrated with the reputation his team have when it comes to discipline, and although Ramsey is now healed from his leg break, the anger that sparked from the orignal tackle is still verymuch in the air. Stoke shouldn't be surprised if certain players are get a frosty reception from the Arsenal fans on Saturday.