“He’s the most dangerous defender I’ve ever faced in my whole career…But I’ll advise him to join Chelsea if he really wants to win trophies’: Cole Palmer says he has never faced a defender as dangerous as ONE Man United’s defender- Not Martinez
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez’s booking at the end of the draw with Chelsea has split opinion among experts in the aftermath.
With the game heading towards a draw, the Argentine found himself in trouble when his studs caught Cole Palmer after the attacking midfielder had flicked the ball over the United man’s head.
Immediately, referee Rob Jones booked Martinez for the challenge, but as the opposition complained, VAR checked the incident.
After deliberation by Michael Salisbury, the decision was made to continue the game. However, that has not been the end of the debate. MEN Sport has taken a look at the differing views of four ex-referees and the Premier League on the tackle.
Premier League
Soon after the incident, the Premier League, through their Match Centre X account, explained the rationale of the VAR to not overturn the booking for Martinez. “The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Palmer,” they wrote.
“VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming that it was a reckless challenge and not serious foul play.”
Mike Dean
After watching several replays, Dean added on co-commentary duties: “He’s come down, he’s just caught the end of his knee with his studs. There’s not a lot of force in it, it’s more of a glancing blow down across his knee rather than endangering the safety of an opponent.”
Dermot Gallagher
The co-host of Sky Sports’ Ref Watch Gallagher admitted that while the booking was correct, Martinez was mightily fortunate to escape further punishment. “I think he’s lucky,” he explained.
“His starting position is so close to Palmer, if he makes that challenge, comes in from distance, speed and intensity that’s when he’ll be in trouble. Because he’s so close to him, he doesn’t generate that force.
“It’s fleeting contact. Because it’s such a short distance, he doesn’t generate that intensity.”
Keith Hackett
In his column for The Telegraph, ex-Premier League referee Hackett was less forgiving. “The landing area of the boot was on Palmer’s knee and quite clearly it endangered the player’s safety,” he explained.
“Jones has had his career enhanced this season by taking charge of some big matches and this game at Old Trafford was probably his biggest yet, but he has been let down on this occasion by VAR.”
