Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has claimed that referee Andy Madley made the right decision not to give Rasmus Hojlund a red card for his challenge on Jordan Pickford during Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Everton.
The incident came in the 12th minute after Patrick Dorgu whipped a delightful cross into the box, and as Hojlund tried to get on the end of it, he made contact with Pickford, who parried the ball away from danger. Replays showed that Hojlund caught Pickford high on the top of his shin.
However, Madley decided against punishing Hojlund for the challenge and waved play on. Pickford, meanwhile, was incensed and made sure to point out to Madley that he had a nasty cut for his troubles. VAR did have another look Hojlund's tackle but chose not to intervene and the on-field decision stuck.
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Now, Gallagher has offered his take on the incident and believes it was not a red card. Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "I don't think it's a red card. I think it's a genuine challenge. Players pick up injuries, cuts all the time. It doesn't make it a red card offence. His foot isn't high, dangerous, excessive force..."
This was not the most controversial and talked about refereeing moment during United's draw at Goodison Park. After Ruben Amorim's side had clawed themselves back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2, Everton were awarded a stoppage-time penalty for Harry Maguire's challenge on Ashley Young.
However, following a lengthy VAR check, Madley was sent to the screen and changed his mind. Delivering his verdict on the decision, Gallagher said: "For me, best solution is stick with the referee and VAR not to get involved. Once VAR got involved it raised a number of issues that didn't really need raising.
"I think the ref gave the penalty against Maguire. I don't think Maguire has fouled him but De Ligt has got hold of his shirt for long enough to give the penalty. The ref has said to VAR, I've given a penalty because I think Maguire has pulled his shirt. The VAR has looked and said no.
"If he sees an offence he thinks is a penalty he can give a penalty. Most penalties given that the ref doesn't see on the field are what a VAR spots that the ref doesn't. surely this falls into the same bracket. They got so bogged down in looking at the Maguire one, [Matthijs] De Ligt got washed away."
