Winston Reid’s high footed challenge on Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie has re-opened the debate with regards to what constitutes ‘dangerous play’.
Sadio Mane saw red for Liverpool on Saturday against Manchester City for his high tackle on Citizens keeper Ederson, which saw the Brazilian stretchered off the field.
However, pundits and fans alike were unable to come to an agreement as to what was the correct decision, a debate which has been further intensified by a number of challenges over the weekend, including Winston Reid’s during the Hammers 2-0 defeat of Huddersfield last night.
The New Zealander raised his foot to the head of Mounie to compete for the ball, and while the striker went down injured for a number of minutes, no action was taken. Newcastle’s Matt Richie made a similar challenge against Swansea at the weekend, and was booked.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher defended Reid, and the referee’s decision, saying: “I wouldn’t like to see this be a red card, we can’t say every time someone puts a foot up near someone’s head its a red card because of Mane.
“He isn’t flying through the air like Karate Kid, like Mane and Ritchie were.”
Sam Allardyce – a former West Ham manager – semi-agreed with Carragher, but still felt Reid’s challenge warranted a punishment.
“He has caught him hasn’t he,” he said. “He has endangered the player, he could have done anything there, he could have caught him in the eye, he could have split his eye open.
“It’s not intentional though, he lost his balance. This is a little different (to Mane and Ritchie’s).”
What do you think?
