Why Wilfred Ndidi Wasn’t Sent Off for Cole Palmer Challenge
- Wilfred Ndidi was surprisingly not sent off after catching Cole Palmer on the back of his heel on November 23
- The Nigerian midfielder was only booked for the challenge with the VAR agreeing with the centre referee, Andy Madley
- Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had a surprising reaction to the injury after securing a win against his former employers
Wilfred Ndidi escaped a direct red card after he dangerously caught Cole Palmer during a Saturday afternoon Premier League game.
Ndidi started in the middle of the pack for Leicester City when Chelsea came visiting at the King Power in the first game after the last international break of the year.
Source: Getty Images
The Foxes were run rugged in the opening exchanges as their former manager, Enzo Maresca, watched in the opposite dugout. Chelsea failed to make most of their chances count with Nicolas Jackson's goal the only thing to show for.
Wilfred Ndidi challenge on Cole Palmer
The major talking point of the first half involved a referee decision that split hairs. In the 22nd minute, Ndidi caught Palmer on the Achilles, leaving the England international on the turf in pain.
Referee Andy Madley brandished a yellow card to Ndidi, but replays showed the challenge was much worse. However, much to the Chelsea fans' bewilderment, the VAR agreed with the onfield decision.
Why Ndidi wasn't sent off for challenge on Palmer
Football London reports that the Nigerian escaped a red card because it was adjudged that he came from close range and the challenge lacked intensity.
Enzo Maresca defends Ndidi
Speaking after the game, Maresca surprisingly agreed that the referee made the correct decision. When asked if Ndidi should have seen red, he said,
"I don't think so, to be honest," as quoted by the Mirror.
Enzo Fernandez doubled Chelsea's lead in the second half. The Foxes had a late surge but Jordan Ayew's penalty in stoppage time was just a consolation. The result left Chelsea in third place as the pressure ramped up on Maresca's successor, Steve Cooper, who is now winless in four games.
Fans react to Ndidi's challenge
Legit.ng has reported on the fans' reactions to Ndidi's challenge on Palmer.
Palmer was on the receiving end of a brutal tackle from Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
