Mateo Kovacic Lewis Cook Thomas Bramall, Man City Bournemouth PGMOL
(Credit: Sky Sports on YouTube)
Keith Hackett
Wed 21 May 2025 16:38, UK
Keith Hackett has given his expert verdict after reviewing the footage of Lewis Cook and Mateo Kovacic’s red cards in Man City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Thomas Bramall had made two good decisions in Tuesday night’s (20 May) clash.
The match between the two sides was an emotional affair, given it was the last time Kevin De Bruyne would play at the Etihad as a City player.
The Sky Blues started fast, with January signing Omar Marmoush scoring a stunning long-range strike in the 14th minute.
Bernardo Silva doubled City’s lead before another January recruit, Nico Gonzalez, registered his first Premier League strike for Pep Guardiola’s side late on.
Daniel Jebbison scored a consolation in the dying moments for Tottenham-linked Andoni Iraola‘s men, but despite the goal-scoring action on offer, the night’s main talking points related to red cards shown to either side by Bramall.
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Mateo Kovacic sent off for last-man challenge on Evanilson
With 67 minutes gone and City 2-0 up, Josko Gvardiol looked to retain possession by sending a pass towards his back-line.
However, Kovacic seemed to be in another world, almost failing to notice the ball had even been played to him.
Ever-alert, Evanilson latched onto the loose ball and looked for all the world to be away with only Ederson and half the pitch between the Brazilian and his 13th goal of the season.
That was until Kovacic gave the former Porto man a tug on the arm, yanking him to ground and swiftly receiving his marching orders.
Man City midfielder Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic was sent off in the 67th minute. (Credit: Imago)
Lewis Cook sees red after dangerous tackle on Nico Gonzalez
Just six minutes later, and seemingly discontent with the man advantage his side had, Cook was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Gonzalez.
Tyler Adams had done well to dispossess Erling Haaland in the middle of the park, and the former Barcelona midfielder latched onto the loose ball.
However, Cook then lunged into the Spaniard with Bramall standing right in front of the incident, giving the referee little alternative but to make the game a 10v10 affair.
Lewis Cook was sent off for a studs-up tackle on Nico Gonzalez.
Keith Hackett reviews Cook, Kovacic red card decisions
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Hackett gave referee Bramall his unequivocal support for both red card decisions, with the ex-FIFA referee shocked by Cook’s foul in particular.
Speaking on Kovacic’s red card decision, he said: “Referee Thomas Bramall was correct to red-card Manchester City’s Kovacic for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
When asked about Cook’s red card, Hackett said: “Wow, that is a very poor challenge by Bournemouth’s Cook, who was rightly sanctioned by a red card.
“He launched himself off the ground, one foot forward and with excessive force endangered the safety of his opponent.
“Fulfilled the law for serious foul play. Correct decision by the referee.”
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