Newcastle United fans were furious that Chelsea weren't reduced to 10 men in the first half of today's Premier League clash. Kai Havertz and Dan Burn both jumped to challenge for a header but the latter was sent to ground clutching his face after appearing to have been struck in the face by the former's elbow.
The Chelsea playmaker was shown a yellow card and although VAR assessed the incident, the punishment was not upgraded to a red card. Burn required treatment but his frustration was evident after he returned to his feet, as he confronted Havertz immediately.
The incident has divided pundits and supporters alike, as there have been cases put forward in support of referee David Coote and against him. Pundits Jamie Redknapp, Micah Richards and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink discussed the incident as part of Sky Sports' coverage of the game during the interval and Redknapp dubbed the challenge 'very dangerous'.
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He said: "I think it is a very dangerous challenge from Havertz. We know you have to use your arms for elevation, but there is no doubt that he has endangered an opponent there.
"He comes across, his elbow is really high, higher than Dan Burns’ head, he catches him right on the side of the face and it could have also fractured his cheekbone, quite easily. You can use your arms for leverage, but when you have your elbow that high, as a defender you have to wonder. Dan Burn is six foot six and he has still managed to catch him that high."
Hasselbaink agreed, condemning the challenge despite admitting the need for use of arms.
He said: "As a striker, you know at all times where the defender is and yes, you need to use your arms but as you see, his elbow stays in that positon and I think it is a very naughty challenge. I like him as a player, he has been doing magnificent, but that is bad."
Micah Richards, however, cut Havertz some slack and doubted whether there was any intent from the Germany international.
He said: "What I think has saved him is that he never once looked at Dan Burn. If he would of had a look round to see where he was, then used his elbow, then maybe it might have been different.
"You have to use your arms. I don’t think he has intentionally tried to go for him."
Newcastle supporters have also weighed in on social media and many of which have expressed their frustration at the fact Havertz was allowed to remain on the pitch.
@ChrisAllen45 tweeted: "If Burn was smaller that would be a red for Havertz."
@leecartwright94 tweeted: "Absolutely nothing natural about where Havertz has his elbow there, red all day."
@NUFC_Index tweeted: "There’s only Chelsea fans and the officials in this game that think that’s not a red. Ridiculous, once again!"
There was further controversy when United were denied a penalty in the second half when Chalobah appeared to bring down Jacob Murphy.
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