TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS’ fans have been left fuming after a chaotic first half against Chelsea ended without a red card for Reece James.
The incident took place in the eleventh minute of added time with the game tied at 1-1 thanks to an early goal from Dejan Kulusevski before Cole Palmer levelled things up for Chelsea.
In the 55th minute, Chelsea right-back James appeared to catch Spurs left-back Destiny Udogie with his elbow.
Leaping through the air to win a header towards the touchline, James raised his arms, with his left appearing to hit Udogie across his face.
But after a tense, if brief, VAR check James was allowed to continue.
Spurs fans swiftly flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share in their anger at the decision.
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One claimed that Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero’s earlier red card was “clearly wrong,” going on to say: “VAR clearly wrong for that red card, “Reece James should be sent off also.”
A second said: “Clear red card. VAR shocking.”
While a third tweeted: “Reece James should be off aswell,” adding: “Games lost the plot.”
The manic game reached halftime with Spurs down to ten men, having also lost centre back Micky Van De Ven and midfielder James Maddison to injuries.
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Van De Ven went down shouting in pain as he grabbed his hamstring mid-run, before hobbling off the field.
Spurs also had one goal disallowed, while Chelsea saw three wiped out.
And Udogie too was lucky to escape a red card during the first half after a double-footed lunge on Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling.
Former Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville berated the challenge, saying: “That’s the one the footballers, the professionals hate.
“You don’t do that. That tackle went about 15, 20 years ago. You just don’t do that any more.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
