Michael Oliver to make Premier League return after missing last two weeks

Michael Oliver will take charge of West Ham vs Tottenham on Sunday after missing the last two match weeks. is one of the Premier League’s top referees, has a wealth of experience and is five matches away from racking up 400 games in the competition, but has endured a difficult season.

The 40-year-old sits alongside Anthony Taylor as the top-rated English officials and the two will be the country’s representatives at this summer’s Club World Cup. He has overseen 39 games, as well as two finals, the Carabao Cup Cup final and the Championship play-off final.

But Oliver has been absent from the past two game weeks in the Premier League, with his last match coming on April 14 when beat 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium. He was not selected by the PGMOL for game week 33 in the Premier League, despite there being 12 fixtures over the weekend of April 19 and 20 and into mid-week.

Oliver then missed last weekend because he worked instead on the FA Cup, overseeing in the second semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

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Oliver has come under fire from managers and fans this season, with his decision to against in January a particular flashpoint. The decision was described as and were successful in having on appeal.

However, Oliver was praised by former Premier League referee Keith Hackett for making the right call on the weekend when City appealed for a penalty for a handball against Forest’s Zach Abbott.

“I don’t think he [Abbott] can do much about it. I think he’s actually tried get his hands out of the way. I’m not giving it,” Hackett told . “I think the hands are close enough to the body to not award it. I don’t think there’s any deliberate handling of the ball so it’s not enough for me. I think the referee’s got it right. Good.”

Here is the list of all the refereeing appointments in the Premier League this weekend.

Man City vs Wolves

Referee: Peter Bankes. Assistants: Lee Betts, Nick Greenhalgh. Fourth official: Thomas Bramall VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith.

Aston Villa vs Fulham

Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Dan Cook Neil Davies. Fourth official: Gavin Ward. VAR: Chris Kavanagh. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.

Everton vs Ipswich

Referee: Lewis Smith. Assistants: Nick Hopton, Marc Perry. Fourth official: Anthony Taylor. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart.

Leicester vs Southampton

Referee: David Webb. Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: Sam Barrott. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Simon Long.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Referee: Jarred Gillett Assistants: Richard West, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Tom Neild. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.

Brentford vs Manchester United

Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn. Fourth official: Sam Barrott. VAR: Matt Donohue. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.

Brighton vs Newcastle

Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Timothy Wood, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Steve Martin. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

West Ham vs Tottenham

Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Ruebyn Ricardo. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Peter Wright.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Referee: Simon Hooper. Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Craig Taylor. Fourth official: Tim Robinson. VAR: James Bell. Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.

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