Cole Palmer should have been sent off for Fernandes challenge

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has ruled that Cole Palmer should have been shown a straight red card for violent conduct in Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. According to BBC Sport, the England international was only cautioned in the 70th minute after barging into Mateus Fernandes with such force that the Portugal midfielder's head snapped back. The panel voted 3-2 in favour of a dismissal.

VAR John Brooks chose not to intervene, and the panel unanimously backed that call. The majority judged the contact to the head to be clear, unnecessary, dangerous and made with excessive force. Two members viewed it as aggressive but without excessive force.

Palmer was sent off in the 80th minute for a second yellow card, for a foul on Jan Paul van Hecke, a decision the panel supported 4-1. That dismissal brings a one-match ban, which means he misses the Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool. Had the challenge on Fernandes been a straight red, he would also have missed Saturday's 2-0 win over Manchester United, where he scored a penalty, and this weekend's trip to Sunderland.