Source: Daily_Mail
Graham Poll: We all love the FA Cup's extra edge
Referees love cup football as there is an extra edge, an added pressure in the knowledge that one error could eliminate a team from the competition. This weekend's FA Cup fifth round feels like the start of the serious stuff. The winners are through to the quarter-finals, when the dream of playing in a Wembley final starts to feel a real possibility. I have always believed mistakes made by officials tend to even out over a season. No choice: 'Wisey' knew I have to send him off in Chelsea's 2000 FA Cu victoryUltimately it won't be a refereeing decision that costs a club relegation - but it could cost them a place in the Cup. Memories of my fifth-round matches remain vivid and two involve me falling over. In 2001 at Anfield live on TV I fell while whistling for a penalty for Liverpool against Manchester City - possibly the most embarrassing moment of my domestic career! More from Graham Poll. Graham Poll: You should know better, Steve08/02/09 Graham Poll: Where are all the young referees, as old guard head for final whistle?06/02/09 Graham Poll: Riley in the wrong - Lampard red card must be rescinded01/02/09 Clattenburg's career could have been saved if he had been a full-time referee30/01/09 Graham Poll: Suspending referees doesn't help anyone23/01/09 Graham Poll: Dowd was spot on with penalty and yellow card for Konchesky19/01/09 The official line: Webb's top but the rest need big games as well 16/01/09 Graham Poll's official line: Webb did well but he got a lucky break12/01/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The second, more spectacular, fall saw me going over head first at Ewood Park following a painful kick from Morten Gamst Pedersen in the build-up to Blackburn's 2007 replay winner against Arsenal. That injury ruled me out of my last chance to referee my favourite league fixture, Liverpool versus Manchester United. However, my most vivid memory of fifth-round day was brought back to mind when I was chatting to Dennis Wise (above) on Tuesday. In January 2000 I was refereeing Chelsea versus Leicester City, the game was a cracker and finely poised at 2-1 to Chelsea. A promising forward ball, with the Chelsea defence exposed, was deliberately handled by their captain - Wise - who had to jump to the ball. 'Wisey', already on a caution, knew I had no choice but to show him a second yellow and a red card. Chelsea held on with their 10 men in that game and eventually won the Cup that season. Despite the red card, I was greatly honoured to be appointed to referee that final.Today's referees should remember that whatever decisions they have to take, they must only concern themselves with getting their decisions right and not worry that one error, which could cost a team their place, could also rule the referee out of contention for this year's final on May 30.Poll's poserWhich of the following actions are allowed at the taking of a throw-in?1. The thrower stands 5m behind the touchline when throwing the ball. 2. The thrower has the heels of both feet behind the line but with his toes over the touchline. 3. The thrower has his heels on the touchline but the rest of his feet over the line and on the field.Did you see that?The appeal by Norwich City against Gary Doherty's dismissal last Saturday was successful - the first red card overturned in the Championship this season. A marked contrast to the Premier League clubs' 100 per cent success in appeals, hopefully proving the independent appeals committees are not just swayed by big names!The referee's clinicMany of you emailed me regarding Ben Alnwick, the Tottenham goalkeeper whotipped an overhit back pass over the bar, resulting in a corner in the recent League Cup semi-final against Burnley. As the ball looked to be on its way into goal and had been played back to the keeper, Steven Howard and Neil Asten were among many who wondered whether Alnwick should have been sent off for denial of a goalscoring opportunity.RespectClash of the round matches up two managers who I respect and would have liked to see leading their teams out for the final at Wembley. David Moyes has done a remarkable job with his Everton side on limited resources and often tries to give referees constructive advice after the match. The other manager I would like to recognise is Martin O'Neill who, after calming downfrom his enthusiastic technical area state, often has sensible dialogue with referees and thanks them for their efforts. Good luck in the Cup, gentlemen, and may the best man go on to lift the trophy in May.