Ex-PGMOL chief makes his feelings clear over Kevin Danso 'red card' in Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Jarred Gillett was in a good position to judge an early tactical foul by Kevin Danso as Tottenham beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Austrian's yellow card did not warrant being upgraded on Sunday, 28 December.

Richarlison, who has been tipped for a Tottenham exit, had the ball in the back of the net twice, though saw his efforts chalked off for offside on both occasions.

It was Archie Gray who poked Spurs ahead in the first half, heading home from a corner situation just before the half-time break, and turned out to be the only goal in West London.

Palace have seriously struggled with set-pieces this season, and Thomas Frank's side took full advantage, rising to 11th in the Premier League table, just one point behind their opponents.

Tottenham avoid an early scare at Selhurst Park

With Cristian Romero suspended following his red card against Liverpool, Danso was called upon to partner Micky van de Ven, but it was just five minutes before the defender was under the microscope.

The 27-year-old tripped Justin Devenny just outside the Lilywhites' penalty area, but with players either side of him to cover, Gillett felt that a yellow card was justified in the situation.

Unsurprisingly, the Selhurst Park crowd were crying out for a red card instead, but the calls fell upon deaf ears, meaning that the Eagles were up against 11 men for the entire 90 minutes.

Re-analysing the footage, Hackett decided that the incident was not "one hundred per cent" clear, so Gillett was spot-on to stick with a yellow card, rather than go with a stronger caution.

Kevin Danso forced to tread carefully after early sanction vs Crystal Palace

Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “When you’re faced with sending a player off, you’ve got to be a hundred per cent.

"So, for me, the outcome is a yellow card, not a red card,” and the player will now be available for Spurs' Premier League clash against Brentford on Thursday, 1 January.

Frank, however, remains without Xavi Simons, who was shown a straight red card against Liverpool, and therefore, banned for three games.