Panel: Palmer should have seen red earlier

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer should have been sent off ten minutes before his eventual dismissal against Tottenham, an independent Key Match Incidents panel has concluded. The panel based its view on a 70th‑minute altercation with Spurs midfielder Mateus Fernandes at Stamford Bridge on 24 October. It determined that the England international deserved a straight red card.

By a 3‑2 majority, the five‑member panel decided that referee Chris Kavanagh’s initial call on the pitch was mistaken. Three panellists described Palmer’s challenge as violent conduct, noting clear contact to the head and behaviour that was unnecessary, dangerous and made with excessive force. All five panellists agreed with VAR John Brooks’s choice not to advise an on‑field review, backing the original yellow card.

Palmer was ordered off in the 80th minute after receiving a second booking for a foul on Conor Gallagher. Earlier in the match his clash with Fernandes had already earned him a yellow card.

Other incidents reviewed

In a separate evaluation the panel judged that Aston Villa should have been awarded a spot‑kick during their victory over Manchester City after Elliot Anderson tangled with Johan Manzambi. Three members argued that Anderson made no effort to play the ball and deliberately widened his posture to block Manzambi’s path. Although a 3‑2 majority felt the VAR was correct not to intervene, two panel members contended that a clear and obvious error had occurred.

Premier League figures show that 88 percent of 162 key incidents evaluated this season were correctly judged on the pitch, matching the previous season’s performance. That accuracy rate rises to 99 percent once VAR intervention is taken into account.

VAR trial and future guidance

Examining the Coventry‑Fulham fixture, the panel noted that VAR Jarred Gillett should have prompted referee Adam Herczeg to check a late first‑half incident, despite agreeing that no penalty should be given to Fulham. The panel highlighted an impactful hold by Fulham’s Calvin Bassey before a corner and a subsequent infringement by Coventry’s Bradley Thomas‑Asante once play resumed. It accepted that the VAR had properly spotted both offences.

In its findings the panel explained: “In this situation, as Bassey commits an offence before the ball is in play and the holding action of Thomas‑Asante met the threshold for a penalty to be awarded, the VAR should recommend an on‑field review to allow the referee to consider both holding actions and reach the correct outcome of a retaken corner.” The Premier League is currently participating in an International Football Association Board trial that permits video officials to intervene if an attacking player commits a pre‑kick‑off foul at set‑pieces that directly affects a goal, penalty or red‑card decision.