Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has spoken of his surprise regarding VAR's decision not to punish Cristian Romero over his hair pull on Marc Cucurella, during yesterday's 2-2 draw between Spurs and Chelsea.
In the build-up to Harry Kane's last minute equaliser, VAR was called to have a look at the incident, but VAR referee Mike Dean decided not to send referee Anthony Taylor to the screen.
I think the VAR should intervene," said Gallagher on Sky Sports. "I'm not sure the referee has seen it, I think he looks down but I think he does it instinctively. I think he watches the flight of the ball. He does look down, but I think it has already happened.
"The VAR has the perfect look. As soon as I saw it, I said, 'I think he is going to get a red card here, he's pulled him down by the hair'. I anticipated the VAR sending Anthony Taylor to the screen. I know for a fact that if Anthony had been sent to the screen, he would have given a red card and a free-kick to Chelsea."
Chelsea v Spurs Controversy
🟥 Red Card Offence
Dermot Gallagher says VAR should have advised Anthony Taylor to take a look at the Marc Cucurella hair pulling incident as it was a red card offence by Cristian Romero.
Tottenham went onto score from the resulting corner from the incident. 😬 pic.twitter.com/ecDKxvE6lq— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 15, 2022
After Taylor waved play-on, Spurs would equalise from the subsequent corner, which lead to wild celebration from the away fans, before the final whistle and the Conte/Tuchel post-match bust up.
Chelsea manager Tuchel also felt aggrieved over Taylor's decision not to award a free-kick to Kai Havertz in the build-up to Spurs' first goal.
Gallagher agreed that it was a free-kick offence, however, he pointed out that VAR could not go back that far as it happened 44 seconds before the goal was scored.
Gallagher also said that there was an argument that the first goal should have been disallowed over the offside Richarlison interfering with play.
