TOTTENHAM’S Dejan Kulusevski appeared lucky to stay on the pitCh during their shock Premier League loss to Brighton.
The Seagulls won 1-0 thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late winner on the 90-minute mark against a Spurs side who could have been playing with ten men.
Marc Cucurella bumped into Dejan Kulusevski from behind during the matchCredit: BT SportTottenham ace Dejan Kulusevski then elbowed Brighton’s Marc CucurellaCredit: BT SportDejan Kulusevski wasn’t sent off after the controversial incidentCredit: BT Sport
Kulusevski appeared to have elbowed Marc Cucurella in the face during a challenge earlier on.
The Juventus loanee gained possession of the ball in midfield and passed it back to his defence when Cucurella bumped into him from behind.
The Sweden international didn’t take it well and angrily turned around when his elbow connected with the Brighton ace’s face.
The Tottenham star was given a yellow instead of a red card, which sparked fury on social media.
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Some fans believe Kulusevski should have been given his marching orders.
One supporter wrote: “Very lucky.”
Another posted: “As a Spurs fan I believe that should have been a red!! Lucky to be on the pitch!!”
And a third tweeted: “It’s scandalous that he’s still on the pitch.”
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Former Tottenham ace Jermaine Jenas agrees Kulusevski should have been sent off.
Jenas told BT Sport: “No, I think it’s a red card. I think he is attempting to use force, which comes under the ruling of violent conduct, he is trying to elbow Cucurella in his face.
“This is subjective to the referee and how he sees or reads it. The issue I had is I don’t know how he has not seen that as attempting to hurt somebody, which would come under the violent conduct rule, and be a straight red card.
“I think Tottenham got away with one and Kulusevski got away with one, which is unfortunate for Brighton.”
However, the decision didn’t cost Brighton as they still managed to snatch the three points in a significant blow to Spurs’ top four hopes.
Mark Halsey on Kulusevski possible red card
DEJAN KULUSEVSKI was very fortunate not to be sent off for violent conduct.
The Tottenham winger threw his elbow with excessive force at Brighton’s Marc Cucurella in the first half.
It does not matter whether Kulusevski connected or not – it was a clear act of violent conduct.
Referee Craig Pawson issued the Swede a yellow card and VAR did not think it was a clear and obvious error.
But Kulusevski had Cucurella to thank because he did not make a meal of the incident.
If the Seagulls full-back had gone down then the Spurs attacker would have been in trouble.
