Chelsea gained one point; West Brom lost two points but the biggest loser in all was the sport. Referee Andre Marriners decision to award Chelsea a 94th-minute penalty on Saturday was one of the most controversial decisions the Premier League has seen in some time. On the line was Jose Mourinhos unbeaten home league record as manager at Stamford Bridge, dating back to 2004. It appeared the streak was coming to an end until Ramires fell under a challenge by defender Steven Reid. Check out the play and judge for yourself. Was it a dive? No. Was it a foul? Absolutely not. Reid simply ran towards the ball and watched the Brazilian fall underneath him. Mistakes happen, referees are only human, but what about those who do not think it was a mistake? Mourinho, speaking after the game, said: "I am sure it was a penalty, I have watched it from different angles, no doubt that is a penalty." It would be easy to believe this is a comment from a man, who likes the limelight, sticking up for his team. However, if that was the case would he really go over the top in selling it as a no doubt penalty? I truly believe Mourinho, much like Marriner, believes it was a penalty and if that is the case the sport is heading down a very dangerous path. The penalty box extends 16.5 metres (54 ft) to each side of the goal and 16.5 metres (54 ft) in front of it. Those measurements have been in place since 1901. They are not going to change anytime soon, but they certainly should. If someone had never watched the sport, before today, and you had to explain to them what happened, the first question from them would surely be why is the blue team allowed a free one on one shot with no defenders in front of them when a player, nowhere near the goal, was brushed aside by a defender. Foul or no foul the punishment is far too harsh for the crime committed. Or, in this case, not committed. The awarding of a penalty is a massive moment in a football match. A referee has to be absolutely convinced a foul has taken place before pointing to the spot. This is where he needs help from the sports governing bodies and the players. The decision is so monumental he needs time to be able to make that judgment. He should also be allowed to discuss the moment with his assistants, but in a game that allows players to barrage officials with abuse that would be impossible. With the game played at a rapid pace and more and more rules put in place to help attackers and hinder defenders, the regular awarding of penalties throughout the sport globally (not just the Premier League) is a problem. And it is getting worse. Here is a look at stats (via Opta) of the amount of penalties taken each season in the Premier League. Season Penalties Taken Goals (pen) Success (per cent) 2013-14 25 19 76.0 2012-13 85 68 80.0 2011-12 100 72 72.0 2010-11 105 81 77.1 2009-10 111 86 77.5 2008-09 85 67 78.8 2007-08 88 68 77.3 2006-07 112 87 77.7 2005-06 76 57 75.0 2004-05 84 66 78.6 2003-04 89 69 77.5 2002-03 92 75 81.5 2001-02 73 48 65.8 2000-01 68 54 79.4 1999-00 85 65 76.5 1998-99 73 51 69.9 1997-98 72 57 79.2 1996-97 80 61 76.3 1995-96 68 53 77.9 1994-95* 97 67 69.1 1993-94* 99 81 81.8 1992-93* 92 61 66.3 *The first three seasons featured 22 PL teams and, subsequently, 462 matches played as opposed to 380 per season that take place in a 20-team league. Let us separate the Premier League into three different sections, with seven full seasons in each. Penalties awarded in the first seven seasons (92-93 to 98-99) - 581. An average of 83 per season. Penalties awarded in the next seven seasons (99-00-05-06) - 567. An average of 81 per season. Penalties awarded in last seven seasons (05-06-12-13) - 686. An average of 98 per season. The average amount of penalties awarded in the first 14 seasons of the Premier League was 82 with no season reaching the century mark in penalties awarded, even when 82 more games were being played. In the last seven seasons there has been four seasons where penalties awarded has reached 100 or more and the average is up by 16 per season! You dont need stats to know there are far more diving incidents and penalty appeals in the game than there once was. Managers say the right thing about ending diving in the game but ultimately it hasnt stopped players trying to gain an advantage over their fellow professionals. That was not the case with Ramires on Saturday but what happened is a direct consequence to the ongoing pressure placed on referees. Asking referees to make a judgment call on an accusation of intent (diving) simply gives them too much to think about. Put that next to comments by Mourinho setting the standard that the Ramires incident is a penalty and you can understand why more and more players try to win penalties. Its an epidemic created by the modern game and it is here to stay. Get ready for the next controversial penalty decision because it is coming much quicker than it used to. Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Is there a 3-year-old out there who very few people have heard of that can become a major factor in the run up to the Kentucky Derby. With the beginning of 2015, attention among thoroughbred fans and insiders turns to the long road that culminates with the 141st Kentucky Derby on May 2. The three big name contenders early this season are American Pharaoh, Texas Red and Dortmund. They finished 2014 as the three leading 2-year-olds and were the horses with the lowest odds at the close of the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager. However, longshots are more the norm than the exception in the actual winning of the Run for the Roses. A 3-year-old who didnt have a stakes race as a 2- year-old but has shown ability is the one to look for as the First Saturday in May approaches. Maybe such a horse is Serbian Syclone who closed 2014 with an unquestioned victory in an allowance race at Santa Anita the final day of last year. This was an impressive way for us to end the year on a high note. He broke sharply, but he doesnt need the lead and it worked out well. Well go ahead and point for the Sann Vicente, said trainer Peter Miller.dddddddddddd Serbian Syclone, the 3-2 second choice, was ridden by Elvis Trujillo in Wednesdays start and immediately went to the lead in the six-furlong race. Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Serbian Syclone cruised to a 2 3/4-length victory and stopped the timer at 1:09.39. It was a perfect race, said Trujillo. This horse is training so good right now. He broke sharp, he went to the lead and I never looked back. I worked him last week and he worked amazing. I knew he could win today. The San Vicente will be an opportunity for Serbian Syclone to begin to stretch out if his connections are serious about going to the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby. The young colt was eighth first time out in a 6 1/2-furlong race on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita after pressing the early pace, losing to Dortmund by 13 lengths, who was making his racing debut as well. However, two weeks later Serbian Syclone rolled to victory by 6 1/4 lengths at Del Mar and continued with Wednesdays winning effort. Serbian Syclone is now a 3-year-old to keep your eyes on as the season progresses toward the Kentucky Derby. Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Authentic China Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NHL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '