Arsenal's Kai Havertz avoids red card for 'vicious' challenge in crucial win over Burnley
Gary Neville called Kai Havertz's challenge on Burnley's Lesley Ugochukwu 'vicious' and insisted it deserved a red card, as Arsenal closed in on a first league title in 22 years with a slim win
Kai Havertz's first-half goal for Arsenal means the Gunners are now five points clear of Manchester City -Credit:Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images Gary Neville believes Arsenal forward Kai Havertz was 'lucky' to escape a red card for a challenge on Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu during the Gunners' 1-0 win on Monday. Havertz went in hard on Ugochukwu in the 67th minute as Burnley attempted to push the ball forward against the Gunners from the edge of their penalty area. Havertz's studs appeared to rake down Ugochukwu's calf from behind, and the 22-year-old seemingly indicated he felt the tackle was overly aggressive.
Pep Guardiola to leave Manchester City after trophy-laden decade in charge Budget-friendly Costco faces backlash with $39,100 FIFA World Cup ticket package Mikel Arteta's side is closing in on what would be the team's first league title in 22 years -Credit:Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images Referee Paul Tierney promptly produced a yellow card for Havertz, but Neville, serving as co-commentator for Sky Sports, felt the Germany international should have been dismissed. He said, via football. london : "I don't like that.
I don't like it at all. It's a horrible one, it's vicious from Havertz. I think this is a red.
There's no way you're getting the ball, you can only hurt the player there. " VAR official James Bell reviewed the incident but upheld Tierney's on-field ruling to book Havertz. Neville responded: "I don't think it's right - he's a lucky boy.