I think we need to accept that the likes of CCC and Amaluzor are going to get kicked though, it works both ways as long as there's consistency.
Right in front of the popular side towards the end of the game, one of ours (Baines I think) went right through the back of one of theirs, and the ref waved it on. We want to see a good technical AND physical battle, and I thought the ref let the game flow well as a result of his approach which is rare at this level.
If he'd set his stall out to book their number 2 early doors (which he could have done), you run the risk of having to book everything else afterwards - and that's when games spiral out of control because both teams let those emotions get the better of them. He's ended up booking a couple each team, which reflects the way the game was (largely) played.
Sometimes I do feel they can't win.