Craig Pawson was right not to send off Lucas Moura for his high boot but Harry Kane’s yellow card for tackle on Antonio Valencia was harsh

  • Craig Pawson took his time to assess injury to Phil Jones and book Lucas Moura 
  • High-foot challenges are judged by consequences and decision was correct
  • Harry Kane was booked for challenge on Antonio Valencia that was harsh 

By Mark Clattenburg for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:28 BST, 27 August 2018 | Updated: 22:31 BST, 27 August 2018

Craig Pawson was right to take his time and assess the extent of the injury to Phil Jones after Lucas Moura’s high boot early in the game.

High-foot challenges are always judged by the consequences and, after Pawson waited to determine that there was no serious injury suffered, he was right to show Moura a yellow card as opposed to red.

Think back to last season and Sadio Mane’s high boot on Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson – which caused a very nasty injury – and the referee on that occasion was right to send off the Liverpool striker.

Lucas Moura (right) was given a yellow card for his high boot to the face of Phil Jones

Lucas Moura (right) was given a yellow card for his high boot to the face of Phil Jones

But I was not happy with Pawson’s yellow card for Harry Kane in the first half for his challenge on Antonio Valencia. 

A talking to would have sufficed, because if that was a yellow then your tolerance level for a big game like this is too low.

Pawson, though, was right to wave play on when Moura went down under Jones’ challenge in the penalty area before half-time.

It was shoulder to shoulder and they are both fighting for the ball on the same level. 

If Moura is ahead of Jones then yes, it’s a penalty, but this is a duel between defender and attacker. 

Harry Kane was booked for his challenge on Antonio Valencia but it was a harsh call

Harry Kane was booked for his challenge on Antonio Valencia but it was a harsh call

Harry Kane was booked for his challenge on Antonio Valencia but it was a harsh call

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