Graham Poll: Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez deserved to be sent off

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Tottenham’s poor form continued with a 1-1 draw against Watford.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll told BT Sport Score on Saturday afternoon that he agrees with Martin Atkinson’s decision to give Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez a red card.

Spurs drew 1-1 with Watford on Saturday afternoon at Vicarage Road, which saw the north Londoners come up against the likes of former players such as Heurelho Gomes and Etienne Capoue.

Son Heung-Min cancelled out Christian Kabasele’s opener in the 25th minute, but the scores remained throughout the match despite Sanchez’s red card in the 52nd minute. Atkinson adjudged the 21-year-old of elbowing attacker Richarlison.

Poll, 54, claimed immediately after the sending off that Atkinson was right to give Spurs’ Colombia international Sanchez a red card, as he was endangering the safety of an opponent.

“Red card for me,” Poll said, as quoted by BT Sport Score’s Twitter account. “He’s put the arm out, the question you would ask is ‘does he strike the opponent?’ The answer is, yes he does.

“He catches him with the elbow, but it is not an elbow, it is the arm that he strikes him with. You are asking me that is why he’s sent him off, Martin Atkinson correct.” Asked if he would send Sanchez off, Poll replied: “Yes.”

Spurs’ draw against Watford sees their slump in form continue, picking up just two Premier League points from a possible 12 after suffering losses to Arsenal and Leicester City, as well as drawing against West Brom prior to the result.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to boost the morale within his squad on Wednesday night with a win against APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League. Spurs have already qualified in first place from Group H.