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Tottenham fans fume as Reece James escapes red card after Chelsea man catches Udogie with elbow in face


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.

Reece James (L) appeared to hit Destiny Udogie (R) with his elbowCredit: Getty

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.”

Micky van de Ven (L) and James Maddison (R) both went off injured in the first halfCredit: Getty


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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Spurs leave their own fans raging after showing controversial replay of Romero red card during Chelsea game

VAR is opposite to the spirit of the Beautiful Game.. it is just increasing rage and bitterness and needs to be scrapped