Premier League explain why Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez did not receive red card despite dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace star
The Premier League has explained why Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez did not receive a red card in their match against Crystal Palace. The two sides faced off at Selhurst Park on Saturday, ending the game in a 0-0 draw.
While the goalless draw was a major talking point of the game, the Red Devils might have played with ten men if Martinez had been sent off. In the 63rd minute, the Argentine defender lunged into a tackle with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada.
However, Martinez lunged in a shocking manner, jumping up and hitting the turf with his studs, only missing Kamada's feet by inches. The referee immediately blew for a foul, pulling out a yellow card for the dangerous tackle. This stunned the Crystal Palace players, who were expecting the defender to receive his marching orders.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson protested and eventually got a yellow card for dissent. The referee's decision on Martinez went to VAR, who also agreed that the dangerous challenge required only a yellow, not a red.
The Premier League Match Centre has now explained the decision behind this verdict on X:
"The referee issued a yellow card to Martinez for a challenge on Kamada. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of no red card, deeming this was a reckless challenge and made no contact with Kamada."
Erik ten Hag saddened by Manchester United's goalless draw at Crystal Palace
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag strongly believes the Red Devils should have won the game, although they failed to score. The Dutch tactician bemoaned his players' inability to score in the vital moments.
While speaking on Sky Sports after the game, the manager said (via BBC):
"We should have won. In the first half, we ate them alive. The second half it was more in the balance but first half, we should have scored one or two goals. The only thing was in the box, that is where the game is always decided. We should be more clinical there."
The statistics show that the manager is fairly justified, as Manchester United controlled the game and dominated their opponents ruthlessly. They had 64% of the possession and took 15 shots at goal. They had five big chances to secure the win, and they missed all five.
Crystal Palace were forced to work on the counter, but they posed a threat. Taking nine shots at goal, they missed four big chances to secure a win.