Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo and Craig Pawson
(Credit: Imago / Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Sat 15 March 2025 21:01, UK
Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo could have “easily” been show a card after successive fouls against Brentford, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Ghanaian winger was fortunate the match was being officiated by the “rather lenient” Craig Pawson.
A Vitaly Janelt own-goal gave the Cherries the lead, before the Bees answered through January Nottingham Forest target Yoane Wissa, thanks to a wonderful cross from Newcastle target Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford would claim all three points, after a tidy strike from Everton target Christian Norgaard, dealing a serious blow to Bournemouth’s European hopes.
Referee Craig Pawson
Referee Craig Pawson chose not to show Antoine Semenyo a second yellow card.
Antoine Semenyo let off lightly after elbowing Keane Lewis-Potter
In the 74th minute, Semenyo and Keane Lewis-Potter challenged for the ball, before the English left-back dropped to the floor.
Protesting his innocence, the Ghana international seemed surprised to have a foul called against him.
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However, after a good degree of jostling and posturing from players on either side, Pawson showed Semenyo a yellow card.
As they often do, the replays justified the referee’s decision, as a close-up highlighted the elbow Lewis-Potter had taken to the throat.
Semenyo was clearly fortunate to walk away from the incident with just a caution, with the challenge nastier than it first looked.
Antoine Semenyo incident analysed by ex-PGMOL chief
When asked about the incident by Football Insider, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, highlighted the good fortune Semenyo had received in not being shown a red, whilst also praising the assistant referee:
“Semenyo is fortunate that the game is been officiated by a rather lenient referee in Craig Pawson.
“We are witnessing too many offences in recent weeks where a deliberate elbow is used in an opponent.
“Well done to the Assistant Referee for bringing this to the attention of the referee.
2024/25 Premier League stats Semenyo
Appearances 27
Starts 27
Goals 7
Assists 4
Minutes 2,380
The incident happened just minutes after Brentford had taken the lead, with the Ghana international potentially frustrated at his sides inability to hang on for the win.
The loss means Bournemouth are now winless in five games in all competitions, slipping down to ninth in the Premier League table, having previously harboured hopes of qualifying for Champions League football this season.
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