Time Added On

According to the PGMO 'The Professional Game Officials' the clock is not stopped for goals but the officials do add time (to cover celebrations). It's around 30 seconds as a rule of thumb, unless they spend five minutes celebrating. Every situation is different, they'll take each one on its merit. They can blow for full time at any junction even when a team is attacking. As a rule of thumb, 30 seconds are added for a substitution but if a player is doddering, meandering, then extra time can be added.

All the above makes sense and if the goal or substitution had taken place in the 92nd or 93rd minute for instance then there could be no grounds for argument. However, in the Bournemouth v Everton game the officials had indicated that at least 5 minutes of stoppage time would be added. So when Ross Barkley swept a shot in on the turn on 94mins 45 seconds it looked as though the game was over with 15 seconds left because, regardless of the pitch invasion or the substitution, when play restarted there should have been only approximately 15 seconds of playing time remaining. Certainly not enough for Bournemouth to score their equaliser.

So dismiss all the romantic reportings that 'Bournemouth deserved a bit of luck' or that celebrating Everton fans were the cause of the result or that Roberto's substitution meant the game was extended. It is reported that the referee had told Bournemouth players that ' that was it' after Ross' goal.

Once again it is all about the inconsistency of the officials who do not seem to be accountable.