Should Antonio Valencia have been sent off against Newcastle?

Refereeing consistency

We are approaching the end of yet another bizarre season.

The Premier League title race is all but over and we are only in February whilst debatably every single team from 7th downwards is in a relegation battle.

We have seen the introduction of VAR into English football which has been a very controversial topic whilst transfer fees have reached ridiculous levels.

28 red cards have been awarded so far this season in the top flight of English football after 269 matches, an average of a one red card every 9 games.

Earlier in the season, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane was sent off for a challenge on Ederson.
The Senegalese winger raised his boot high in order to get the ball and connected with the Man City goalkeeper’s face.

The red card was widely debated as many people believed that there was no malicious intent and Mane was simply trying to get the ball. Nonetheless, referee Jon moss sent Mane off and Liverpool were beaten 5-0.

Sadio Mane's challenge on Ederson

Sadio Mane’s challenge on Ederson

Antonio Valencia

Manchester United feel to yet another away defeat on Sunday afternoon as Matt Ritchie’s strike gave Newcastle three points against the Red Devils.

Late into the match, Antonio Valencia performed a similar challenge to Sadio Mane’s earlier in the season but the Ecuadorian defender escaped with only a yellow card.

Craig Pawson was the referee on Sunday and he deemed Valencia’s challenge was not worthy of a red card.

So where is the consistency in Premier League refereeing? Did Valencia deserve a red card? Did Mane deserve a red card?

There was literally no difference between the two challenges and I think both are worthy of a red card even though Gary Neville may disagree.