Harry Maguire Tyrique George Chris Kavanagh, Man United Chelsea PGMOL
(Credit: Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Sat 17 May 2025 12:48, UK
Keith Hackett has voiced his concerns on Tyrique George’s “illegal elbow” on Harry Maguire just days after Alex Scott’s jaw was fractured by Tyrone Mings.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the elbow was “reckless”.
Chelsea scraped through with a 1-0 win against Man United, keeping their hopes of Champions League football alive, thanks to a divine piece of skill from Reece James and a flying header from Marc Cucurella.
The two fullbacks combined after the Blues’ attackers struggled to break through the stout backline that was marshalled by Harry Maguire.
Part of Chelsea’s attacking woes were due to Nicolas Jackson serving a suspension for an elbow on Newcastle defender Sven Botman.
The Senegalese striker was given his marching orders, and his replacement in the line up, George, was somewhat fortunate not to suffer the same fate as his teammate.
Tyrique George, Chelsea
Tyrique George was used as a makeshift striker. (Credit: Sky Sports)
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Tyrique George escapes punishment for elbow on Harry Maguire
With 10 minutes gone and the game beginning to liven up, a pass was played through to George, who beat out Maguire for the ball.
The 19-year-old, playing out of position as a striker, flicked the ball onto Noni Madueke, who broke away down the left flank.
However, spotting that Maguire was down with a head injury, referee Chris Kavanagh halted play.
Replays showed that the United defender had taken a hefty blow from George’s elbow on his chin, but the young forward escaped any sort of punishment for the challenge.
Seemingly emboldened following the elbow, Maguire found the back of the net for the visiting side, only for his effort to be chalked off, with Hackett telling Football Insider his disallowed goal required a change in football’s rules.
Harry Maguire Tyrique George, Man United Chelsea
Maguire and George clashed in the 10th minute. (Credit: Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett highlights elbow issue occurring in Premier League
Elbows are seemingly in vogue this week. Not only did Jackson see red for his challenge on Botman, but Tyrone Mings fractured Alex Scott’s jaw with an elbow of his own.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett explained that George’s elbow was “reckless”, and that these are the sort of offences that referees should be detecting.
He said: “The illegal use of the elbow on Harry Maguire was reckless and therefore the Chelsea player should have received a yellow card.
“These are the offences that referees should detect, and I stated my opinion on the illegal use of the elbow by Tyrone Mings that should have also resulted in a minimum yellow card.”
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