Former Premier League referee Peter Walton admitted Dejan Kulusevski was fortunate to have avoided a red card during the early stages of Tottenham’s match against Brighton on Saturday.
Spurs’ early frustrations were summed up by the Sweden international’s act of petulance when he thrust an elbow in the direction of Marc Cucurella in the 27th minute.
Match official Craig Pawson immediately awarded the January loan signing from a caution, but replays suggested Kulusevski was lucky not to have been given his marching orders.
‘He’s a very lucky man, he does thrust his elbow out as we can all see,’ Walton told BT Sport.
‘I think the saving grace is he just brushes the opponent rather than hits him and I think that’s what got him off the hook, but it was a really risky move to make.’
Cucurella did his opponent something of a favour, jumping quickly to his feet rather than writhing in pain and making more of the incident than he could have.
‘He’s lucky he didn’t make a connection, he definitely went with the elbow and any sort of connection with Cucerella and he’s off,’ added BT Sport pundit and Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle.
Had Kulusevski, who has registered nine goal involvements in his last 11 matches, been dismissed he would have missed his side’s next three matches against Brentford, Leicester City and Liverpool.
‘I think it’s a red card, he’s attempting to use force which comes under the ruling of violent conduct he’s trying to elbow Cucurella in the face there,’ said Jermaine Jenas at half-time.
‘This is subjective to the referee and how he sees it and how he reads it.
My issue is I don’t know how he’s not seen that as attempting to hurt somebody which would come under the violent conduct rule which would be a straight red card.
‘Tottenham got away with one there, Kulusevski got away with one and it was unfortunate for Brighton.’
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