Dermot Gallagher: 'Crystal Palace's Yohan Cabaye lucky to avoid red card'

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has suggested that Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye should have been handed a red card against Newcastle United.

During the first half of the Premier League fixture at St James' Park, Cabaye lunged into a challenge with DeAndre Yedlin, but Stuart Atwell opted to give the Frenchman a yellow.

However, Gallagher has questioned whether the official changed his mind after his initial reaction to the tackle from the former Magpies player.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "My first reaction was yes. I thought the referee thought the same because he ran so fast towards the incident and put his hand to his top pocket. It gave the impression of a red card.

"There was quite a long delay where a lot of players were involved, and I wonder if the referee ran it through his mind that he hasn't gone two-footed so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I think he was very lucky to stay on the field."

Newcastle eventually emerged victorious in the North-East thanks to Mikel Merino's late header.