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Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has offered his expert opinion on the controversial decision not to send Rodrigo Bentancur off for a poor challenge during Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea. The two London sides met in what was a typically fiery Premier League derby. In the end, a single goal in the first half from Joao Pedro was enough to settle the affair. Poor defending from Tottenham allowed Moises Caicedo to set up his teammate for a close-range finish. Beyond the goal, there were a number of rough tackles throughout the match, but the worst perhaps came from Spurs' Bentancur, after he crunched into Reece James. Despite ramming his studs into the Chelsea captain, the midfielder avoided a red card. Referee Jarred Gillet reached for a yellow card, and his decision was upheld by VAR. Hackett Offers Bentancur Red Card Verdict Former Premier League referee Hackett could not help but weigh in on the debate as he offered his thoughts on the foul. The ex-PGMOL said on social media: "A red card for me." This is at odds with the Premier League, who offered an official explanation on the incident, stating: "The referee’s call of yellow card to Bentancur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed to be a reckless challenge and not serious foul play." Hackett wasn't alone in his verdict as CBS Sports Football Correspondent James Benge called out the poor foul, writing: "Horrible tackle by Bentancur on James, surprised that Gillett stopped a potentially promising Chelsea attack only to book him." Journalist Simon Johnson also called it a 'terrible challenge' and noted that James was left 'disgusted'. Even so, and despite a very poor foul from Enzo Fernandez in the second half, both teams finished the game with 11 men each. Chelsea would have been furious had the officiating cost them anything from the game, but they managed to cling onto their slender lead and win the game 1-0. They now sit just level on points with Spurs (17), as that victory took them only behind their London rivals on goal difference, with the two teams sitting third and fourth at the full-time whistle. Chelsea play Wolves at home next in the Premier League and will be strong favourites for that one, while Tottenham have the trickier task of hosting Manchester United.
