Jamie Carragher criticises ‘daft’ Spurs star after Chelsea controversy

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher hit out at Spurs defender Christian Romero after he was shown a red card in Monday’s London derby with Chelsea.

Ange Postecoglou’s side made the perfect start to an eagerly anticipated contest when Dejan Kulusevski fired them in front with just six minutes on the clock. That was the precursor for an eventful opening 45 minutes consisting of numerous VAR checks, one of which led to Romero’s dismissal.

Just seconds before Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo had a goal disallowed for offside, Romero lunged into a challenge with international team-mate Enzo Fernandez and appeared to make contact with the ball before clattering into the Blues star.

After an initial VAR check disallowed Caicedo’s goal, the match officials took a second look at Romero’s challenge and he was subsequently shown a red card by on-field referee Michael Oliver.

Carragher admitted he would have made similar challenges during his playing career but insisted Romero deserved to a ‘definite red card’ for use of ‘excessive force’.

He told Sky Sports: “Yes, absolutely ridiculous to put a challenge in like that in the penalty box.

“Yes, that’s a tackle I’d have made 20 years ago but those days are well gone. The days of saying I won the ball first and I couldn’t control myself. He was out of control, excessive force, definite red card.”

The Argentina star was considered fortunate not to have seen red earlier in the game when he appeared to kick out at Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.

Romero remained on the pitch after a VAR check deemed his action was not sufficient to have received a red card - and Carragher agreed with the decision but stressed the Spurs man was ‘daft’ to have put himself in danger.

“It’s stupid, that’s what he’s about at times,” explained the former England defender.

“It’s a little kick, I don’t think there’s too much force and it’s daft to put yourself in a position where VAR or even a referee are looking at that. But no, I don’t think that’s a red card.”