We are by no means saying this is 100% a red card as every decision is a matter of opinion, but by looking at these images (which originate from Sky Sports footage) of a challenge Harry Kane sustained yesterday, perhaps VAR should have taken a longer look.
Harry Kane once again, was not on the scoresheet for Tottenham Hotspur, despite his side scoring four goals, making it 12 in their last three league matches against West Ham. Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively, although he has registered five assists in those games.
Unlike previous seasons, Kane has managed to keep himself injury-free having only not started two games this season in the league, which was when his future at Spurs was unclear, however, Tottenham fans’ hearts may have been in their mouths when Ashley Young slid in on the striker with less than 10 minutes to play, catching him awkwardly on his ankle.
This will have surely angered Spurs fans given how many injuries Kane has picked up in the past regarding his ankles, but to see him come away unscathed will have been a huge relief.
Should Young have been sent off?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Kane…
Of course, the referee’s decision stands and it is merely our own opinion that VAR may have made an error by not punishing the Aston Villa defender, with our main point being that consistency needs to be there when it comes to using the technology. It’s an incident that will no doubt be split depending on who you support, but if VAR are going to decide Allan deserves a red card then surely they have to then follow through with a similar incident.
However, Spurs may have got away with one too this season, as Harry Kane arguably should have been sent off for a tackle on Andy Robertson.
We feel it was a dangerous act by Ashley Young who purposely took Harry Kane out with no intention of playing the ball, which is clearly seen with his foot well over the ball and making contact with the shin and ankle of the England striker. Of course, this will be seen by some as a professional foul and is up for debate as to whether it is in fact a red, but did he really need to go so high over the ball?
This was something that got Allan at Everton in trouble against Newcastle United for a very similar tackle where he purposely wiped out the attacker, with VAR on that day helping change the decision to red.
Everton and Newcastle were drawing at that point so the decision was of more importance in the game as Spurs found themselves already leading 4-0, but this shouldn’t matter as the safety of players should be of equal importance no matter what minute of the game.
Tottenham journalist Oliver Young-Myles even felt himself that it was a red card.
In other news: ‘Pretty much unplayable’ – Sky Sports man wowed by three different Spurs players