Keith Hackett: Eberechi Eze 'should have seen red' as Crystal Palace footage re-analysed

Eberechi Eze should have been sent off for Crystal Palace during their goalless draw with Bournemouth, Keith Hackett has said.

After their thrashing by a somewhat inury-hit Arsenal on Saturday (21 December), the Eagles returned to something more representative of their recent form with a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

That result means they have now lost just once in their last seven Premier League outings, as they look to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Things though could have been more difficult for Crystal Palace as they looked to see out that result had one key decision involving Eze gone in a different direction.

Ebere Eze survived major red card call during Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth

With around 18 minutes on the clock in that match on Boxing Day, Eze committed a risky looking challenge on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie.

Chasing down the Cherries midfielder as he broke forward, the Crystal Palace man through a foot out in an attempt to win the ball.

He did though fail to make any contact with the ball, with his studs instead catching the Achilles of his opponent.

Referee Thomas Bramall did not card Eze, who had already been booked, with VAR official John Brooks also electing not to intervene, despite Hackett believing the challenge was a red card offence.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about that challenge from the Crystal Palace attacker, the former referee said:

“This should have been a red card. The player raking down the back of the Achilles, this is the challenge where VAR should closely monitor and sanction.”

While Palace now sit 16th in the Premier League table, Bournemouth are sixth, having dropped below Newcastle United due to results on Boxing Day, underling the significance of that decision.

In other news, John Textor has “broken promises” over the sale of his shares in Crystal Palace, it has been claimed.

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The post Keith Hackett: Eberechi Eze 'should have seen red' as Crystal Palace footage re-analysed appeared first on Football Insider.