After Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo made a high challenge on Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) justified their decision to not send him off.
Caicedo’s foot ran over Sarr’s ankle in a contentious challenge during the first half of the exciting London derby.
Many compared it to previous instances of similar tackles that resulted in red cards.
Notably, last season Cristian Romero was sent off for a similar infraction against Enzo Fernandez.
Referee Anthony Taylor’s choice to forego a red card was maintained, however, following a VAR review.
The Premier League explained the choice on its match center on X (previously Twitter).
“After a challenge by Caicedo on Sarr, VAR checked for a possible red card and affirmed the referee’s call of no significant foul play,” the statement said.
“I think a few of decisions were awful,” Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said after the game, expressing anger with some of the team’s decisions without offering direct criticism. We must come to terms with it and go on.
The incident occurred during a thrilling game in which Chelsea defeated Spurs 4-3 after trailing by two goals.
Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski gave Tottenham a good start.
But Chelsea was back in the game before Caicedo’s contentious tackle thanks to a goal from Jadon Sancho.
Cole Palmer was Chelsea’s outstanding player, helping Enzo Fernandez score the game-winning goal and scoring two penalties, including a spectacular Panenka.
Chelsea held on for a vital victory despite Son Heung-min’s late goal for Spurs.