Counting down the eight worst horror tackles from the Premier League season - James, Xhaka, Pogba...
Leeds and Everton have hit the headlines in recent weeks after a rash of red-card challenges but can either of the two strugglers lay claim to the season's most horrific tackle?
It put the Toffees one ahead of Leeds who have hit the headlines in recent weeks thanks to reckless challenges from Dan James and Luke Ayling which both resulted in early baths.
8. Granit Xhaka vs Man City (Aug 28)
It wouldn't be a red card piece without Granit Xhaka being a part of it. Theย Arsenal man has seen red in the Premier League on four occasions and has also picked up 50 bookings since his move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
Look away, Arsenal supporters...
โ Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 28, 2021
๐ฅ Granit Xhaka is sent off for a reckless lunge on Joรฃo Cancelo.
The correct decision according to Peter Walton. pic.twitter.com/dDDPsZCqyr
Already 2-0 down toย Manchester City in the third week of the season, Xhaka jumped in on Joao Cancelo with both studs showing. He made minimal (if any) contact with Cancelo and plenty on the ball but with Martin Atkinson deeming him to be out of control, the red card was duly issued.
Xhaka later described the decision as "brutally surprising". Not to us Granit, no to us.
7. Mason Holgate vs Tottenham (November 7)
Defender Mason Holgate is one of sixย Everton players to have been sent off in the Premier League this season, seeing red in added time of the 0-0 stalemate in November.
6. Ben Gibson vs Chelsea (October 23)
Another red card against Chelsea but one that was the result of a second yellow rather than a straight red - not that it didn't deserve one.
Booked just ten minutes earlier, Norwich centre-back Ben Gibson's challenge on Reece James wasn't a last-ditch attempt to thwart an equaliser or understandable rush of blood in the heat of a delicately poised battle. No, it was a reckless slide tackle in the centre of the pitch with his side already 5-0 down.
James was taken off his feet although Gibson probably did more damage to the top of the tunnel with his departing punch.
Red Card!
โ beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 23, 2021
Things are getting even worse for Norwich! Ben Gibson is sent off! #beINPL #CHENOR
Watch Now - https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4 pic.twitter.com/IydLIwVBUC
5. James Ward-Prowse vs Chelsea (October 2)
Southampton's standout player this season, Ward-Prowse had only seen red once in his career before being given his marching orders in the 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge.
4. Paul Pogba vs Liverpool (October 24)
๐ฃ๏ธ "It wasn't a good tackle, quite rightly sent off."
โ Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2021
Dermot Gallagher takes a look at Paul Pogba's red card for the studded challenge on Naby Keita in #MUFC's 5-0 defeat to #LFC ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/WCNsSanq1U
3. Andy Robertson vs Tottenham (December 19)
๐ธ - RED CARD ANDY ROBERTSON!!!! pic.twitter.com/bSCxhuPKFY
โ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ (@TheEuropeanLad) December 19, 2021
Again a yellow came out before the evidence was re-examined. With the ball incidental to the challenge, Robertson's yellow was upgraded to a red.
2. Luke Ayling vs Arsenal (May 8)
1. Dan James vs Chelsea (May 11)
No One :
โ James (@jamesmelloy19) May 11, 2022
Dan James : #LeeChe pic.twitter.com/2aEeAkpAN0