Arsenal supporters have been told that Declan Rice was indeed unlucky to be sent off against Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this season after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate avoided a red card on Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
During the first half at Anfield, Konate committed a challenge which referee Simon Hooper deemed worthy of a yellow card. As he was preparing to dish out the booking, the centre-back flicked the ball out of play.
Hooper decided to award just the one yellow card with Konate substituted at half-time to avoid being sent off. Back in August, Rice received a second yellow card for similar when a foul had been given against the Gunners.
Analysing the decision at the weekend, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports' Ref Watch that there was a clear distinction between the two incidents but that Riceremained unfortunate to be sent off. "The referee will argue that he has not delayed a restart because he has got to delay the restart, call Konate in and give him a booking," Gallagher explained.
He has got to give him a yellow card, explain that he has got it so Wolves cannot take the free kick anyhow. It is interesting that the referee points two and perhaps told him that he was lucky with the first one and it is accumulation but it was always going to be just one yellow card.