'Alarm bells ringing' - Ex-refs chief analyses Conor Gallagher footage as Tottenham beat Chelsea

Conor Gallagher was fortunate to still be on the pitch during Tottenham Hotspur's dramatic 2-1 friendly win over Chelsea.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Alex King could have easily upgraded his decision to a red card.

In what was supposed to be a friendly game between two Premier League sides in Sydney on Saturday, 1 August, Roberto De Zerbi's team could have been without a player just 11 minutes in.

Gallagher went crashing into a late challenge on Chelsea's Dario Essugo, leaving the midfielder hurt, and his teammates surrounding the referee.

Kevin Danso, later in the game, would be given his marching orders for bringing down Joao Pedro, denying a goalscoring opportunity, but Spurs still managed to find a winner.

Richarlison fired past Teddy Sharman-Lowe with almost the final kick of the game, but things could have been very different had Gallagher been sent off.

Conor Gallagher incident sounds 'alarm bells' vs Chelsea

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett reviewed the footage of the No.8's challenge, stating that he was very fortunate not to see red.

"That's a borderline red card. He's fortunate because, at the point of contact, the foot is low down, but this fulfils a reckless act," he said.

"Therefore that's a yellow card. But he's clearly off his feet, he's out of control, and there is an element of force.

"I would suggest that even if a red card had been displayed, I would be supporting the referee. Players have got to understand that they can't make that type of challenge anymore.

"It's a risk, and the minimum is yellow, and lucky not to get a red. The alarm bells ring for a referee when a player goes in one or two feet, when he's off the ground, and he's out of control."

Tottenham fans love Gallagher's pre-season footage

There is clearly no love lost between Gallagher and his former team, Chelsea, where he spent five years of his career before moving to Atletico Madrid permanently.

Tottenham fans have fallen in love with the footage of his challenge on Essugo, with the player showing the tenacity needed to improve the Spurs squad next season.

After such a disappointing campaign, De Zerbi will want to see his squad fighting for every ball, and that is certainly what Gallagher will give you.