Mike Dean on Soccer Saturday
Mike Dean on Soccer Saturday
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes Rico Lewis was unfortunate to be shown a second yellow in the closing stages of Manchester City's draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Cityzens' recent slump in the Premier League continued as goals from Erling Haaland and Lewis, either side of half time, could only salvage a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. But it wasn't just the dropped points that were a cause for concern for Pep Guardiola, though, as Lewis was shown a second yellow card in the final 10 minutes for a second bookable offence.
The 20-year-old was booked twice in the space of 14 second-half minutes, with the first as a result of dissent towards referee Robert Jones before he was given his marching orders for a foul on Trevoh Chalobah. Referee-turned-pundit Dean had initially agreed with Jones' decision to brandish a second yellow card in Lewis' direction, but with the benefit of hindsight, Dean believes the decision to reduce Manchester City to ten-man was a harsh one.
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"In real-time, it looks a clear second yellow but when you see it again, it is the Palace player’s foot on top of Rico Lewis’ foot, not the other way around," said Dean.
"Once he’s given the free-kick, the referee’s probably thinking ‘he’s caught him there, I’m gonna send him off’, but from where it was, you’d just give the free-kick and manage the situation in my opinion.”
Players who are sent off for receiving two yellow cards are unable to appeal the decision to the Football Association, which means Lewis will now be suspended for next weekend's Premier League game against Manchester United.