Dermot Gallagher: 'Wolves' Romain Saiss lucky to avoid red card against Leeds'

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher says that Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saiss was fortunate to avoid a red card against Leeds United.

Shortly after half time and with Wolves winning 1-0, Saiss mistimed a challenge on Raphinha close to the halfway line, the Moroccan's studs making contact with the winger's ankle.

While Saiss was subsequently given a yellow card for handling the ball as part of the tackle, Raphinha was unable to continue and was substituted.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gallagher compared the challenge to the one made by Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba on Liverpool's Naby Keita a day later, one which led to his dismissal.

Gallagher said: "I think he is very lucky. I don't think this is too dissimilar to Pogba. I don't think the referee has got the best view. he thinks that Raphinha hurdles Saiss because he gives handball, not a foul. He yellow cards him for handball.

"If he sees it again and sees where the leg is planted, that is not too dissimilar to Pogba's. If Rob Jones has got the view we have got, he may have made a different decision.

"The VAR probably thought the same as him, that he had hurdled him. If he had got a red card, he couldn't complain."

The game at Elland Road eventually finished 1-1 courtesy of a last-minute penalty from Rodrigo.