Speaking on the latest edition of the Total Saints podcast, The Athletic’s Dan Sheldon has been discussing all things Southampton following their 1-1 draw against Leicester City.
The Saints earned a hard-fought point in their hopes of remaining in the Premier League for another season despite playing the majority of the game with just 10 men.
Should Vestergaard have been sent off?
Yes
No
Jannik Vestergaard was shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Jamie Vardy in the 10th-minute of the game despite winning the ball first.
In response to the red card, Sheldon believes the Saints should appeal the decision in hope of getting the card rescinded (31:20): “[Jamie] Vardy was not going to get that ball. Vardy was running one way and that ball was going another way.
“At the time Vestergaard touched that ball, that ball was going towards the left and Vardy was kind of on the right, going in a straight line.
“So on the basis that Vardy wasn’t going to get that ball, I don’t see how they can’t rescind it. I’d be amazed if they didn’t.”
TIF Thoughts on Sheldon’s comments…
The red card incident was one of those which we have seen so frequently in recent years with players winning the ball and then catching their opposition with the follow-through.
It did not look like Vestergaard had any intention of hurting Vardy, and we saw just last week West Ham’s Fabián Balbuena have his red card for a similar offence overturned.
Sheldon is adamant there is enough proof for the red card to be overturned which if is the case makes you question why the referee and VAR were unable to come up with the same decision during the game?
In other news: ‘Let’s not kid ourselves’ – TalkSport pundit makes big claim over key Saints player’s future