Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur certainly wasn’t short of incidents, a game which was frantic from the off.
Both Enzo Maresca and Ange Postecoglou delivered a few surprises with their team selections – particularly with the inclusion of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from the off.
Of course, Tottenham lost Romero just after the home side took the lead against Chelsea, with the defender seemingly aggravating his existing issue.
From Chelsea’s point of view, Maresca decided to start Moises Caicedo as a right-back again, a player who was involved in a very controversial moment in the first half.
Jamie Carragher thought Moises Caicedo deserved a red card
In the 33rd minute, Caicedo went full speed into a challenge with Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, ending up catching him on the shin.
For all looking on, it seemed as if VAR were going to intervene, potentially sending Anthony Taylor to the review screen.
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dece...
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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However, the incident was then reviewed and cleared, a baffling moment.
Caicedo was high and reckless in his challenge, the kind of tackle tens of Premier League players have been sent off for this season and last.
Martin Tyler and Jamie Carragher commented on the situation during Sky Sports’ coverage of the game, with the latter ending up in similar bemusement.
In the aftermath of the foul, Tyler initially reported: “In the words of the VAR – ‘lacks excessive force.’”
Carragher replied: “I mean that is unbelievable. Listen, I don’t like seeing people sent off, I always think the officials should do as much as they possibly can to keep the game 11 vs 11 but I was absolutely certain that was going to be a red card.”
Why wasn’t Moises Caicedo sent off against Tottenham?
PGMOL then offered further explanation when posting on X shortly after the incident.
Remarkably, Caicedo didn’t even receive a yellow card for the challenge, something VAR couldn’t intervene with.
However, they did decide that there was ‘no serious foul play’ to intervene with.
They wrote: “VAR checked for a potential red card following a challenge by Caicedo on Sarr and confirmed the referee’s call of no serious foul play.”
#TOTCHE – 33’
VAR checked for a potential red card following a challenge by Caicedo on Sarr and confirmed the referee’s call of no serious foul play.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) December 8, 2024
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