As Manchester City start the defence of their Premier League title, the league has appointed Michael Oliver as the man in the middle for their opening weekend trip to the London Stadium, home of West Ham United. The game kicks off at 4:30 pm (BST) and will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Michael Oliver
The 37-year-old refereed the Blues five times in the Premier League last season, with City coming out victorious all five times, all of which were memorable in their own way.
He was in charge when City came out winners at Stamford Bridge, both Manchester derby wins, the battle in the snow against West Ham at the Etihad, and most memorably, the last-day comeback against Aston Villa that won City the league title.
Oliver was also in charge when Pep Guardiola's side lifted the Premier League trophy in 20/21 against Everton, in which Sergio Aguero came off the bench to say his goodbyes to City the same way he started in Manchester, with two goals. Despite City winning 5-0, the Geordie referee did award the Toffees a penalty, but Ederson guessed the correct way to save.
Full Appointments
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt & Simon Bennett
Fourth Official: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Mike Dean
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
Written by: @TomCayless_
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