Roy Keane issues 'no complaints' Lisandro Martinez red card verdict amid Palmer injury update

Chelsea have been sent a new verdict on Lisandro Martinez's late and high challenge on Cole Palmer during the clash against Manchester United. In the latter stages of their Premier League fixture, Martinez caught Palmer's knee with his studs which saw the Blues star fall to the floor in pain and the United defender shown a yellow card.

VAR, which was being operated by Michael Salisbury, reviewed the foul but deemed it not worthy of a red card which was certainly interesting given Bruno Fernandes was dismissed for a very similar offence against Tottenham in late September, however it is worth noting the initial decision on the pitch for that incident was red card.

It has since emerged, via the Telegraph, that Palmer is expected to have a scan with head coach Enzo Maresca offering his take on the challenge while also offering an injury update on his star man. "He was there in the changing room with ice," the Chelsea boss said. "We are waiting now. Hopefully it is nothing important.

"I know you are going to ask me about the referee's decision. They showed me before the press conference, I think it is quite clear almost for all of us but the referees there did not take the decision and they made a different decision."

With Maresca making his thoughts perfectly clear, several former Premier League referees have also weighed in believing he should have been dismissed. Some ex-professionals have agreed with that verdict and to the surprise of many, one of those was United legend Roy Keane.

"He won't be happy with Palmer making a fool of him. It's a nasty challenge. But he doesn't catch him properly. It's down the side of his leg. If he had got sent off there would have been no complaints," Keane admitted on Sky Sports after the game.

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Fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp added: "It's reckless, its nasty, he knows exactly what he's doing. He's got that nasty streak in him. Look at how high he gets his leg, there's no need for it." As the incident was dealt with on the pitch and VAR was in agreement, no retrospective action will be taken against Martinez.

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