MANCHESTER UNITED striker Anthony Martial was sent off for slapping Erik Lamela – but the Frenchman appeared to be elbowed on the neck first.
United’s home clash against Tottenham was already dramatic enough with three goals in the first eight minutes.
Anthony Martial was sent off for putting his hand into Lamela’s faceCredit: Sky Sports
Anthony Martial appeared to receive an elbow in the neck from Lamela firstCredit: Sky Sports
Tottenham’s midfielder looked as though he had been shot as he writhed on the floorCredit: Sky Sports
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, already 2-1 down, were reduced to ten men when Martial lost his cool.
Spurs were preparing to take a corner when the Frenchman clashed with Lamela.
Replays showed the Spurs midfielder falling to the ground after Martial put his hand into his face.
But just prior to this, as the pair jostled in the box, Lamela’s elbow appeared to make contact with Martial’s neck.
Referee Anthony Taylor brandished the red card, but players and the Sky Sports commentators weren’t sure who had been given an early bath.
Taylor had VAR in his ear, but the official seemed confident he had got it right, and it was Martial who was sent marching down the tunnel.
The 24-year-old looked as stunned as his team-mates as he contemplated an early end to his game.
United were 2-1 down at this point, with Bruno Fernandes’ second minute penalty being cancelled out by goals Tanguy Ndombele and Heung-min Son.
Lamela should have gone too, says Mark Halsey
ANTHONY MARTIAL was sent off for an act of violent conduct but Erik Lamela should have received the same punishment.
What was the difference in their conduct? The only difference was Tottenham’s Lamela was a disgrace in the way he went down — the Argentine got the Manchester United striker red-carded.
Was it violent conduct? Not for me. And had Martial acted in the same way then Lamela too would have been dismissed.
When you raise your hands you do run the risk of a red card.
Both should have been cautioned for adopting an aggressive attitude towards each other.
But I’m not convinced ref Anthony Taylor saw the initial contact by Lamela so I can’t understand why VAR ref Stuart Attwell didn’t recommend a review on the monitor.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho felt United should have finished with eight men. I don’t believe Eric Bailly deliberately stamped on Harry Kane’s calf. VAR viewed the incident and felt it wasn’t a red card.
But Luke Shaw was lucky not to be sent off for a serious foul play challenge on Lucas Moura. He had no chance of winning the ball and if the contact was higher he could have broken Moura’s leg.
Referee Anthony Taylor was quick to brandish a red card for Martial in the meleeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
And just two minutes after Martial’s red, Harry Kane slammed home for 3-1.
Things got even worse for Solskjaer’s shell-shocked troops when Son netted his second as Spurs went in at half-time 4-1 up.
Serge Aurier added a fifth after the break before Kane’s late penalty made it SIX.
Former Liverpool hardman Graeme Souness was fuming with Lamela’s reaction in the melee.
He told Sky Sports: “Pathetic. A tickle across the chops.
“Is that what the English game is all about?
“Lamela will sleep well tonight because he thinks he will have done a great piece of work for his team.
“That’s not us, but that is in our game now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
