Rodrigo Bentancur’s challenge on Reece James was deemed reckless but not serious foul play near the end of the first half in the match between Tottenham and Chelsea. The midfielder received a yellow card for the tackle, leading to frustration from the Chelsea captain.
During a Chelsea break, Bentancur halted the play with a late tackle, sparking a confrontation between players from both teams. Despite the incident, the referee only issued a caution to Bentancur, a decision that was upheld by the video assistant referee.
Trevoh Chalobah also received a yellow card for his reaction, as he confronted Bentancur following the incident. Initially, James thought he was being booked for appealing for his opponent’s dismissal while on the ground, but it was Chalobah who was penalized.
Although Bentancur’s challenge seemed to target James’ ankle with his studs, it was not considered ‘serious foul play.’ The VAR supported the referee’s decision, confirming it was a reckless challenge but not enough for a red card.
According to the Premier League Match Centre, “The referee’s yellow card for Bentancur was reviewed and confirmed by VAR – with the contact being labeled as a reckless challenge and not serious foul play.”
Former Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp suggested that a red card might have been shown if the tackle had been higher, emphasizing the late and aggressive nature of the challenge. Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher echoed similar sentiments, noting that the tackle appeared more severe in slow-motion replays.
At the time of the incident, Chelsea was leading the match following Joao Pedro’s opening goal, which ended his two-month goal drought. The Brazilian striker capitalized on Moises Caicedo’s pressing after 35 minutes to put Chelsea ahead.
“Chelsea’s high pressing has been impressive,” remarked Daniel Sturridge. “They have controlled the game well, and Joao Pedro’s confidence is growing with each game. He has performed admirably so far and will be eager for the second half.”
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering a saving of £192 and over 1,400 live matches covering the Premier League, EFL, and more. The upcoming season will feature a minimum of 215 live Premier League games on Sky, an increase of up to 100 matches.
Stay updated on the latest news from Tottenham with our complimentary newsletter delivered straight to your inbox!
