Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Cheick Doucoure was ‘very fortunate’ not to be sent off against Leeds United. Doucoure was booked early on in the first half for a poor challenge on Whites midfielder Tyler Adams.
The Mali international was both late and reckless in his challenge on Adams, with his studs raking down the back of the American’s Achilles. Doucoure’s challenge was similar to that of Tottenham Hotspur right-back Emerson Royal in the North London derby earlier this month, with the Brazilian shown a red card on that occasion.
Referee Paul Tierney was quick to show Doucoure the yellow card, with VAR also agreeing it was sufficient punishment. Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch, though, Gallagher believes the midfielder could’ve had no complaints if he had been given a red card.
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"I think he's very, very fortunate. He's got him right across the Achilles and if he had have been sent off he couldn't have complained. The referee has got the best view of that but it's not a very good tackle."
Doucoure was then also slightly fortunate not to have been given his marching orders later on in the first half for a tackle on Marc Roca. With the 22-year-old already on a booking, Doucoure was late and slightly high on the Spaniard, but Tierney instead opted to speak to him and give him a final warning.
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