Keith Hackett: Rico Lewis ‘guilty’ after Man City red card at Crystal Palace
Rico Lewis can have no complaints about his second yellow card that got him sent off for Man City in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the challenge that led to a second booking was “reckless” and therefore deserving of a card.
It was an eventful afternoon on Saturday (7 December) for Lewis, who has earlier scored with a brilliant finish to earn his side a second equaliser at Selhurst Park.
However, the joy of his first goal of the campaign was then overshadowed by his sending off, although Hackett believes his dismissal was the right decision.
Rico Lewis right to be sent off in Man City vs Crystal Palace: Keith Hackett
Having first been booked in the 70th minute for dissent, the young full-back was then given his marching orders with six minutes of normal time remaining.
With Trevoh Chalobah in possession, Lewis attempted to make a sliding challenge on the Crystal Palace man, with his boot remaining on the floor, but with his studs directed in the direction of his opponent.
That meant that although it was Chalobah whose foot landed on that of the Man City man, referee Rob Jones elected to show Lewis a second yellow, ending his match prematurely.
Pep Guardiola, who finds himself in unfamiliar territory with his side’s recent struggles, was seemingly unimpressed with the decision, remonstrating with the officials for some time after the match had concluded.
Hackett though, believes Jones made the right decision in sending Lewis off, as he told Football Insider:
“If you are on a yellow you do not make this sort of challenge. The Manchester City player is guilty of a reckless challenge and was correctly shown a second yellow.
“The law states – ‘Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned’.
“Correct action by Referee Rob Jones”
Following that draw at Selhurst Park, Guardiola’s side have now won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
Lewis’ upcoming ban will also give the Man City boss another selection headache, amid the string of injury issues he has had to deal with recently.
In other news, Paul Merson was left sunned by what Kevin De Bruyne did against Crystal Palace.
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