Crystal Palace Brighton

(Credit: Match of the Day and Imago)

Keith Hackett

Mon 7 April 2025 16:12, UK

Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi was actually “lucky” during the incident which saw him sent off in the derby victory over Brighton, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that “silent” VAR reviews should be considered for incidents where there may be doubt over the outcome.

The England international was dismissed for a pair of bookings at Selhurst Park, but Hackett feels the second could have been a straight red for “serious foul play”.

Crystal Palace ran out 2-1 winners over Brighton on Saturday (5 April), completing a league double over their rivals this season.

That ensures Oliver Glasner‘s side remain in the hunt for European qualification this season, although they had to do things the hard way after having two players sent off in that match.

Eddie Nketiah Crystal PalaceEddie Nketiah also saw red for Crystal Palace against BrightonMarc Guehi follows Eddie Nketiah in receiving two yellow cards

A stunning Jean-Philippe Mateta strike had given Crystal Palace the lead in that game, before Danny Welbeck equalised for Brighton.

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After half time the hosts would go back in front through Daniel Munoz, which proved to be the winning goal, although there was plenty more drama to come.

Crystal Palace substitute Eddie Nketiah was then sent off for two yellow cards, one for a dive and one for a high boot, inside the space of ten minutes.

As the game headed into added time, Guehi was then also shown a second yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor, for a high challenge that caught Brighton midfielder Brajan Gruda in the stomach.

Marc Guehi vs Brighton Total (as per SofaScore) Successful Passes 40/44 Tackles 3 Clearances 7 Interceptions 1 Fouls 2

That was checked by VAR for a potential straight red card, which would have led to Guehi receiving a longer ban.

Ultimately though Taylor’s on-field decision of a second yellow was deemed to be correct, and Hackett believes the centre back was lucky in that respect.

Crystal Palace ace avoids more serious punishment after two yellow cards

After being asked by Football Insider if Guehi could have been shown a straight red card for that challenge that earned him a second yellow, Hackett said:

“I think he’s lucky that he didn’t get a straight red, because he’s come in high. So for me, that borders on serious foul play.

“But what happens here in referee’s thinking, is that giving a double yellow is a banker, because there is no right of appeal on a double yellow. On a red card there’s a right of appeal.

“What really concerns me and brings into question the doubt about the decision being made by the match official, is why doesn’t the VAR in that situation, do a silent review, rather than a public ‘VAR’s looking to see if this is a red card.’

“Why do we do that? Putting the doubt in the mind. So for me I think there is a review situation by VAR that could be non-public, in that situation, and only when he’s confirmed, the VAR that he believes that to be a strong red card, he calls the referee in. Let’s rely on the referee’s judgement on the day.”

Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke would later also be sent off for a second yellow card as Crystal Palace hung on to claim that 2-1 win.

That means the Eagles are now just four points and two positions behind Fabian Hurzeler’s side, who are currently ninth in the Premier League table.

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