Discussing the Adrian red card affair has made me think about how the offence of handball is treated by referees. The rule book says:

"Referees are reminded that deliberately handling the ball is normally punished only by a direct free-kick or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area.
"A caution or dismissal is not normally required."

But I'm struggling to think (and maybe this is just my crap memory!) of an instance where handball is given, and the ref HASN'T booked the player. What do people think? Is my perception that refs are harsher than the rules specify, or am I just wrong and do refs often not book players who handle?
And if I'm correct, did this influence the thinking on Adrian's red card; because many Hammers fans actually thought it was a fair sending off! What I mean is: did people think it should've been a red card simply because even dodgy handball calls always seem to be given yellows, so as this seemed "worse" they thought a red was somehow warranted, even though it's certainly not in the rule book?

England collapse!
Aussies on fire in the cricket world cup.england are 76-5!Jeez at least show some fight england-pitiful....

Found my way back via an email from Bondsy ... So, are we going to sue the ref from the other night ? Because Adrian was sent off, we used our last sub to get Jussi on (and CC off) which meant that Carroll couldn't come off or we'd be down to 9. AC having to stay on, hobbling about = long term injury. Adrian now cleared (was there ever a doubt), so it's clearly the refs fault ACs injury is as bad as it is. Phone the Solicitor !

Andy Carroll is out for the season and Adrians red card has been rescinded.

was the dick head who ran onto the pitch one of ours or one of theirs

He could be out up to eight weeks now. If true that means he can't train with a knee injury so when he can train and get up to match fitness the season will be coming to the end. So we might not see much more of our Andy, wish I could get 80k a week for just 10 weeks work a season .

The captain of the Costa Concordia has been given 16 years in jail for leaving a sinking ship.

In which case, how come Harry Redknapp isn't behind bars?

I didn't see the whole second half last night, and have not seen any footage yet. But for those who did, do you consider Adrian's dismissal was justified? It can only have been for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity. With claret and blue specs removed, what do people think?

Not a brilliant result but a very decent point against a top 5 team who are worthy of their position.
I am Happy with a point although the Carroll injury does put a downer on it especially as he should not even have been on the pitch.
Adrian also lost his brain and got sent off but on the whole a good defensive performance against what could have so easily been a defeat. Yes Southampton were not at full strength but nor were we.
I know many would have loved to see Sakho and Valencia on from the start me included but I can sought of understand why they were not as Southampton can be very decent on the counter.

I think tonight will be a tough game, probably more so than our Sunday heartache against the mancs. Soton have stuttered some what of late, but boast a good defensive record and have the potential for goals all through their team. West Ham love to score away from home but haven't done much away for the last seven games with only one win. However, spirits must be high after a great performance Sunday. Sakho and Valencia could well start again but our defensive woes could still see Kouyate utilised at the back, but he did a good job there last time out so should be fine.