Chelsea came from behind to win 4-3 away to Tottenham, but the game was not without controversy as referee Anthony Taylor opted against sending off Moises Caicedo
Anthony Taylor awarding Chelsea a penalty at Tottenham
Anthony Taylor awarded Chelsea two penalties at Tottenham (
Image: PA)
Tottenham were left fuming after Chelsea star Moises Caicedo escaped a red card in North London before going on to win a game-levelling penalty in the Blues' comeback win.
Caicedo went in high on Pape Matar Sarr during the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Video Assistant Referee deeming it not worthy of a red card. "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," the Premier League Match Centre account posted on social media.
It was one of two contentious incidents during rhe first period, with Spurs winger Dejan Kulusevski escaping punishment after catching Romeo Lavia with a high arm. According to Sky Sports, it was deemed accidental, allowing the Swede to stay on the field.
The Caicedo decision proved costly for Ange Postecoglou's side. Having been allowed to stay on the field, the Ecuadorian was felled in the box by Yves Bissouma just before the hour mark and Cole Palmer equalised from the penalty spot.
Spurs had raced into an early two-goal lead, with Dominic Solanke opening the scoring and Kulusevski doubling their lead. However, they were dealy a blow when Cristian Romero's comeback from injury lasted just 15 minutes.
Jadon Sancho brought Chelsea back into the game, scoring for the second time in as many matches, before Palmer made it 2-2. Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea in front 17 minutes from time, while the Blues won a second penalty as Sarr felled Palmer.
Chelsea's top scorer converted from the spot for a second time for Chelsea's fourth, with Son Heung-min's late goal not enough for Spurs, but some were left baffled by the earlier VAR call. After reading the justification for Caicedo staying on, it wasn't just Spurs fans raising concerns.
Should Moises Caicedo have been sent off? Have your say in the comments section
Moises Caicedo won the first of Chelsea's two penalties (
Image:
Getty Images)
"Someone needs to define serious foul play, because how is studding someone’s shin not that?" one response read. "It’s the most obvious red card of the season, it’s high it’s late and it’s excessive force," was the reaction from another fan.
Others compared the Caicedo challenge to one made by Romero in the same fixture last season. The Argentina international was sent off on that occasion after a high challenge on Fernandez, with Chelsea also awarded a penalty in the incident.
"I'm not surprised this resulted in a red as well as a penalty," former Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg wrote for The Mail at the time. Romero flew into a challenge and took a huge risk, even though he clearly won the ball. Football has changed so much and now playing the ball is not enough to save someone from red."
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