Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundee in top spot for giving away penalties
DUNDEE have conceded a remarkable 10 penalties in the Premiership this season.
Saturday’s opening goal for Hibernian was another from the spot, seeing the tally against the Dark Blues tick over into double figures in the league.
Add in one for Airdrieonians in the League Cup in July and the total now stands at 11 – with 12 matches of the season still remaining.
VAR has played a role in the increase in penalty decisions with some more debatable than others.
But it remains a remarkable statistic.
It is the most any Premiership team has conceded this season. Hibs are next on the list with eight.
For comparison, the most penalties conceded by any team in the final season before the introduction of VAR was seven.
To Dundee’s credit, though, they haven’t allowed the stat to derail what has been a superb return to top-flight football as they chase a top six spot.
Nine of the 11 penalties they conceded have found the net while Dundee have won five of their own, scoring three.
Tele Sport takes a look at their double-figure dismay.
HIBS – FEBRUARY 24
A real contender for the most obvious penalty concession of the season.
Despite putting in a fine performance, Trevor Carson had a moment to forget at Easter Road. And Dylan Vente made him pay as he put Hibs 1-0 up on their way to victory.
Verdict: stonewallers.
HEARTS – FEBRUARY 3
This one kicked off a huge debate around the handball rule after Lawrence Shankland’s shot hit Lee Ashcroft in the hand from close range.
Dens boss Tony Docherty was furious at the decision as Shankland stepped up to level things at 2-2 before Hearts went on to win the game.
Verdict: Unlucky.
Stoniest of
ABERDEEN – JANUARY 30
Pittodrie is not a happy hunting ground for Dundee over the years and their task was made harder as skipper Joe Shaughnessy took out Ester Sokler in the area.
Bojan Miovski put the penalty away but the Dark Blues fought back to draw.
Verdict: No argument.
LIVINGSTON – JANUARY 27
The second of two at the Tony Macaroni in late January had an element of doubt about it.
Burnley loanee Owen Dodgson dived in on Livi forward Joel Nouble. Some angles suggest he got the ball, others that the forward toed it away.
Verdict: Debatable.
LIVINGSTON – JANUARY 27
This one in the same game was even more debatable. As Dundee cleared a Livi attack, Luke McCowan was adjudged to have shoved over Jason Holt outside the area.
After a lengthy check the VAR decided it was actually inside the box.
Harry Sharp, though, was equal to Andrew Shinnie’s spot-kick.
Verdict: Very harsh.
HEARTS – JANUARY 23
Another one saved after another harsh VAR decision. With the score 2-1 to Dundee, the Dark Blues were holding on as Hearts came at them.
Shankland went down with Dodgson’s hand on his back. The referee on the pitch didn’t blow but the VAR suggested a review.
Carson pulled off a super save to deny Shankland, though Hearts would still go on to win the game.
Verdict: Harsh again.
RANGERS – DECEMBER 9
Another VAR call – this one was found to be incorrect by an independent review.
Aaron Donnelly was caught out by the impressive Abdallah Sima from a corner and had a hold of the Rangers attacker’s shirt.
However, the review said it was not enough to warrant a pitchside review. Penalty to Rangers, though, as they went on to win 3-1 at Ibrox.
Verdict: Wrong.