Sports
Alejandro Garnacho Deserved Red Card in Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has delivered his verdict on an incident that could have seen Chelsea reduced to 10 men before they came from two goals behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime. Nick Woltemade scored twice within the first 20 minutes, but second-half goals from Reece James and Joao Pedro rescued a point for the Blues.
The result meant Enzo Maresca’s side remained fourth in the Premier League heading into Christmas, but only by goal difference after champions Liverpool wrestled their way to a 2-1 win over Tottenham later in the afternoon. However, the west Londoners can count themselves fortunate to still be in that position.
Trevoh Chalobah appeared to shoulder-barge Anthony Gordon with unnecessary force and no apparent attempt to win the ball, an action that could easily have resulted in a penalty while the Magpies were leading 2-1. Meanwhile, another less talked-about incident involving Alejandro Garnacho raises questions over whether Chelsea should have finished the match with all eleven players still on the pitch.
Ex-PGMOL Chief Gives Take on Two Controversial Decisions in Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Keith Hackett has cast his verdict on Chelsea’s opener and whether or not Piero Hincapie was lucky to stay on the pitch.
Garnacho Accused of ‘Serious Foul Play’ Over Jacob Ramsey Foul
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes Garnacho should have seen red following a clash with Jacob Ramsey, which saw him crash into his opponent and only receive a yellow card. He said (see the incident below): “Garnacho challenged with his foot raised and raked it down his opponent’s leg.
“I’m sorry, but if we are going to allow this challenge to be considered only as ‘reckless’, then we are going to see more time in the treatment room rather than playing. This, for me, is serious foul play, and he should have received a red card.”
The 81-year-old’s verdict was further underlined later in the day when Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons was shown a straight red card after dragging his studs down the back of Virgil van Dijk’s leg – an incident that was recommended for an on-field review and doesn’t look too dissimilar to the one Garnacho got away with.
Shay Given Slams Referee Andy Madley
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Given – who made 354 Premier League appearances for Newcastle – said: “I understand Eddie Howe’s frustrations because some of the decisions I actually disagreed with myself.
“There were a few decisions the referee had to make and they weren’t easy, don’t get my wrong. The first one came in the first half and I thought it was a really nasty challenge from Alejandro Garnacho.
“If you watch it slowly, he doesn’t make any attempt to play the ball, he goes over the top and clearly catches him really high up. VAR didn’t intervene but I think that’s a really dangerous tackle from Garnacho and one he gets away with.”
Howe remains under pressure in Newcastle’s cockpit, and throwing away leads against Liverpool, Arsenal and now Chelsea will do him no favours as he looks to retain the confidence of a Saudi-led hierarchy eager and ambitious to turn Newcastle into a dominant force in English football. But after Saturday’s refereeing, he can also feel hard done by.
