Nicolas Jackson Chelsea Newcastel
(CreditL Imago, beIN SPORTS 1 English)
Keith Hackett
Sun 11 May 2025 14:31, UK
John Brooks should have shown no hesitation to send off Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson after he was eventually shown a red card against Newcastle, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Brooks waited for VAR to intervene and “rescue him” after he had failed to instantly show Jackson a red card for his challenge on Sven Botman.
Chelsea‘s afternoon at St. James’ Park had already gotten off to the worst possible start when Sandro Tonali put the hosts 1-0 up inside two minutes, and the Blues were second-best for much of the first half.
However, things went from bad to worse in the 33rd minute when Jackson and Botman both ended up on the deck after an aerial challenge, and several minutes later, the Chelsea frontman was sent off.
John Brooks
John Brooks failed to send off Jackson straight away against Newcastle (Credit: Imago)
Nicolas Jackson eventually sent off for blatant Botman elbow
Newcastle were more than happy to play conservatively and keep Chelsea at arm’s length after Tonali gave them that early lead, and Botman eventually bore the brunt of Jackson’s frustrations boiling over.
From a Chelsea goal-kick, Jackson went to challenge Botman for the high ball, but instead of focusing on the ball, the striker looked directly at his opponent and aimed an elbow into the side of Botman’s head.
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Botman hit the deck straight away and Brooks quickly brandished a yellow card towards Jackson, but the inevitable VAR review followed and after several minutes of delibration, Brooks was called to pitch-side monitor.
Only a matter of seconds were then needed for Brooks to change his decision, cancel the yellow card and then raise a red in Jackson’s direction, but Hackett was baffled as to why this wasn’t his original call.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Jackson’s dismissal left Enzo Maresca’s side down to 10 men (Credit: Imago)
‘John Brooks isn’t up to Premier League standard’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider why it took so long for Brooks to eventually take charge of the situation and correctly show Jackson a red card, the former FIFA referee said:
“I ask myself, how can the referee see that illegal use of the arm or elbow as a yellow card offence?”, he told Football Insider.
“Once again, he sits on the fence and waits for the VAR lifebelt to be thrown to rescue him.
“This is without hesitation a red card offence, and in recent weeks I keep asking myself if [John Brooks] is up to the requirements of a Premier League referee.
“He needs to start making the decisions on field in order to ‘sell’ the outcomes of his sanctions.”
Jackson being given his marching orders for a challenge which certainly meet the threshold of violent conduct will see the Senegal international receive a three-match ban, and ends his season as a result.
Chelsea’s lack of an out-and-out number nine other than Jackson has been clear throughout this campaign, and with a Champions League place on the line, it remains to be seen where Enzo Maresca will turn to next.
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