Levi Colwill Rasmus Hojlund, Chelsea Man United
(Credit: Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett
Sat 17 May 2025 14:40, UK
Keith Hackett has given his verdict after Levi Colwill was left shirtless after a tussle with Rasmus Hojlund in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Man United.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the “wrestling” at corners was “out of control”.
Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Man United was a typically fractious event, with Reece James the only player to display any real technical quality.
Harry Maguire received an elbow from Tyrique George that went unpunished, whilst Hojlund had an appeal for a penalty turned down by Chris Kavanagh.
The United centre-back was once again in the thick of it, as Maguire had the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but his effort was ruled out for a tight offside.
However, of all the incidents during the clash between the two rivals, Colwill and Hojlund‘s tussling was by far the most bizarre.
Levi Colwill Rasmus Hojlund, Chelsea Man United
Levi Colwill protests towards the assistant referee. (Credit: Sky Sports)
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Rasmus Hojlund yanks Levi Colwill’s shirt off
Just moments before halftime, Pedro Neto prepared to take a corner for the home side, before Kavanagh was forced to blow the whistle.
Colwill was standing in United’s penalty box down to just his undershirt, with replays showing Hojlund had pulled the Chelsea defender’s shirt off.
The two players had tussled several times in the build-up to set pieces during the game, and the Dane had seemingly had enough.
In spite of the struggling striker’s illegal approach to dealing with his opponent, Kavanagh chose not to brandish a card to Hojlund.
Levi Colwill Rasmus Hojlund, Chelsea Man United
Colwill and Hojlund clashed several times. (Credit: Sky Sports)
Keith Hackett reviews clash in Chelsea v Man United
Speaking exclusively to Football Incident about the unusual incident, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett highlighted the repeated failings of Premier League referees when it came to the pushing and shoving that happens during set pieces.
He said: “The behaviour by players at corner kicks is currently out of control and ignored by match officials.
“Wrestling, pulling, blocking and in this instance, the removal of a player’s shirt.
“Once again, these offences were ignored by the match officials.
“The player [Hojlund] who removed his opponent’s [Colwill] shirt should have received a sanction of a yellow card.”
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