Dermot Gallagher shows just how prevalent 'Big Six' bias is on Monday's Ref Watch

There is definitely a two-tier system in effect in the Premier League. The 'Big Six' and 'The Other 14'. The former get away with a lot more than the latter, and punishments for infractions by the latter are often harsher.

Away from the pitch, you only have to look at the points deductions for Nottingham Forest and Everton, while Manchester City are still going unchecked despite having 115 charges for breaching PSR looming over them. Similarly, Chelsea are able to spend what they want, fudge their numbers however they please and even walk into the Premier League offices and admit to dodgy dealings, and they get a handshake and a thank you.

On the field, it's no better. A 'Big Six' side is far more likely to be awarded a penalty for an innocuous challenge than a team from the Other 14. 

Liverpool seems to get away with practically everything. Take the derby on Sunday. Virgil van Dijk (who should have more red cards than goals in his career, let's be honest) clattered Idrissa Gueye, and it was Jordan Pickford who got booked for questioning the referee while Van Dijk got away scot free.

However, the one that's really irking Newcastle United fans today is the incident between Arsenal's Gabriel and Man City's Erling Haaland. The two players literally went head-to-head to square off after a tasty challenge, and Gabriel lunged his head forward towards Haaland. Both players got booked, but Newcastle fans were quick to point out how, when Fabian Schar did the same thing two seasons ago, he was sent off.

One big difference is that Haaland didn't throw himself to the ground like Southampton's Ben Brereton-Diaz did, but that shouldn't matter.

Dermot Gallagher is on a different planet

What makes it even more sickening, though, is listening to ex-referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports' Ref Watch on Monday, suggesting that the yellow cards were the right outcome.

"I think it was a very fair outcome, to be honest. I think both of them are aggressive, both of them, the whole game. It epitomised what's at stake.

"I think Gabriel is very unwise with what he does; it's not the cleverest thing to do, and he runs a massive risk. 

"What I will say, though, he was very, very lucky that Haaland was very responsible because I think if he hits the deck, the whole landscape changes."

Diving works!

So there we have it. Diving works. Not only does it work, but it's also actually necessary. Great refereeing.

You can guarantee that had Gabriel played for anyone outside of the 'Big Six', he'd have been demonised for what he did, and rightly so. It's not as if this was a one-off from him; he's a notoriously dirty player with a mean streak in him a mile wide.

Massive thanks to Dermot Gallagher for coming out and confirming that it's one rule for them and one for the rest.