Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur pair Harry Kane and Dele Alli were both fortunate to avoid red cards in Saturday's encounter with Manchester City.
Both players picked up yellow cards in the game at the Etihad Stadium - meaning that retrospective action cannot be taken - but Gallagher says that referee Craig Pawson had reason to send off both players.
Early in the second half, Kane produced a late, studs-up challenge on Raheem Sterling, before Alli committed a similar tackle on Kevin De Bruyne.
On Kane, Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "I don't think that he could have complained if he got a red card. I think his foot is high enough and he has gone across him with his studs.
"I don't think the referee sees exactly what happens. He's trying to give the players ground and is looking over his shoulder. What he sees is part of it."
On Alli, Gallagher added: 'I think this is a red card. Somebody said to me that he touches the ball but the fact that he touches the ball makes no difference whatsoever. Just because he plays the ball, it doesn't negate a foul.
"To me, it's a dangerous tackle and it seriously endangered the safety of De Bruyne. It's not nice. For me, it's a red card."
Despite the referee's failure to send off either player, City still prevailed by a 4-1 scoreline in the North-West.
Darren Plant
