Southampton fans were left furious that Newcastle United’s DeAndre Yedlin was not sent off during their Premier League clash at St Mary’s on Sunday.
Rafael Benitez
Many supporters felt that Yedlin was perhaps lucky to see out the game at St Mary’s after an extremely rash challenge during the second-half where he appeared to get very little of the ball.
DeAndre Yedlin
The American had been cautioned before the break so many Saints fans were anticipating that when Kevin Friend’s whistle went when Yedlin dived in on Nathan Redmond, it would soon be followed by the full-back’s second yellow.
However, Friend surprisingly kept his cards in his pocket on that occasion, much to the frustration of the home fans. But Benitez felt that the defender had been unlucky to receive a yellow in the first-half anyway, so there was no need for the debate.
Benitez will certainly be pleased that Friend did not produce a second card as the final minutes of the contest were quite enthralling with both sides looking as if they may be capable of creating the chance that would lead to the winner.
So had Yedlin been off the pitch, that final passage of the game may have been a lot more difficult to negotiate for the away side.
Was Yedlin lucky not to be sent off, or do you agree with Benitez?
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