Dermot Gallagher: 'West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell lucky to avoid red card'

Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has said that West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell should have been sent off against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

During the second half of the Premier League clash at the King Power Stadium, Cresswell went to ground under a challenge from Jamie Vardy and put his arms around the ball expecting a free kick, which did not come.

Cresswell was booked for the infringement but with Vardy having been well placed to run through on goal had the Englishman not handled the ball, Gallagher has acknowledged that the referee should have dismissed the Hammers player.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "I think there are four decisions here. Firstly, is it a foul by Vardy - he says no. Secondly, is it inside or outside the box - it's outside. Thirdly, is it handball, which he gives and fourthly, what colour card is coming. I think he has got the first three absolutely spot on, but really it should be a red card.

"When you go through the process, once you get to step three where you decide it's handball, you've then got to think about if it's a red or yellow card and I think if he had sent him off, he would have been well within his rights because Vardy would have been through. A tough call with four decisions to make."

The incident came with West Ham holding a 1-0 lead, and David Moyes's team went on to register a 2-0 victory over the Foxes.