“DIOGO DALOT should have seen red for his crunching tackle on Jeremy Doku in the Manchester derby, according to former Prem ref and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey. United’s Portuguese defender scythed down City’s Belgian winger in the 11th minute with a crunching knee-high challenge. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Dalot lucky”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
United’s Portuguese defender scythed down City’s Belgian winger in the 11th minute with a crunching knee-high challenge.
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Dalot lucky to escape red card against Manchester cityCredit: SKY SPORTS
The Portuguese defender received a yellow card for the tackleCredit: Getty Dalot stamped down on Doku’s right knee and left the City ace writhing in agony.
Referee Anthony Taylor only deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card, a decision VAR Craig Pawson agreed with.
But ex-Prem official and SunSport’s Whistleblower columnist Halsey believes the tackle warranted an early shower for Dalot.
He said: “Anthony Taylor’s given a free kick and produced a yellow card for a reckless challenge.
“Now when you look at the replay, you think, ‘Oh that’s a poor, poor challenge.
“The studs [are] showing from Dalot right onto Doku’s knee,
“In my opinion, it was a challenge that endangers the player’s safety, a serious foul play challenge.
“So I was surprised that Craig Paulson in VAR didn’t recommend a review to Anthony Taylor.
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SunSport’s Mark Halsey believes that Diogo Dalot should’ve seen redCredit: SUNSPORT “Because it would have been difficult for Anthony to see that in real time – the nature of the challenge.
“So I was very, very surprised that Craig Paulson did not recommend a review.
“Obviously, he felt it was subjective and it was a reckless challenge.
“Because a reckless challenge in law is a yellow card. But I thought he was very, very fortunate not to see red.”
Halsey’s assessment was echoed by his former colleague Mike Dean, who told Sky Sports: “For me, that’s just 100 per cent a red card.
“There’s not a lot of force in it, [but] it’s too high.
“The knee’s buckled back. For me, that’s a red card. That’s a red card all day.”
Sky Sports’ pundits were also in full agreement that Dalot should have been given his marching orders.
Former City defender Micah Richards was stunned by the decision not to give Dalot a red, saying: “What more do you want for a red card?”
An astounded Daniel Sturridge said: “That’s a red card, that.”
Former United skipper Roy Keane chimed in: “I’ve been down this road before and I’ve given out some heavy tackles, [and] I’ve been on the receiving end of a few.
It was a challenge that endangers the player’s safety.”Mark Halsey on Diogo Dalot’s challenge on Jeremy Doku
Ex-Premier League ref Mike Dean also thinks Diogo Dalot should’ve been given his marching ordersCredit: GETTY “To me, I’m no expert on red cards, but I think it’s a red.”
Footie fans watching the match agreed with Dean’s assessment of the foul.
One wrote on X: “Dalot on Doku. How is this not a red?”
Another said: “Diogo Dalot only receives a yellow card here. What is the point of VAR?”
And another said: “This is the definition of a red card by Dalot.”
“But because they need to fix the match and keep viewers they ignore
“Could’ve literally broken Doku’s leg in half.”
One remarked: “Dalot with a reckless tackle that is a straight red card and 5 games ban at least not given.”
Another chimed in: “Red card for Dalot on Doku all day long. Anthony Taylor and VAR bottling it again.”
United ran out 2-0 winners over their local rivals thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.