Cole Palmer was fortunate to avoid a serious injury against Leicester City (Picture: Getty)
Joe Cole was left fuming after VAR opted not to intervene and advise referee Andy Madley to award a red card for Wilfried Ndidi’s shocking tackle on Cole Palmer.
Following a lacklustre start to the game, which saw Chelsea take the lead through Nicolas Jackson, Ndidi let his frustrations get the better of him in the 22nd minute.
Attempting to chase the England international, the experienced Leicester midfielder chopped Palmer down from behind and made contact with the back of his opponent’s ankle.
Thankfully, Palmer, who was an injury doubt coming into the game, wasn’t hurt, while Ndidi escaped with only a caution.
According the Premier League match panel, via TNT presenter Lynsey Hipgrave, the Ghana international escaped further punishment as the VAR noted he was only a short distance from Palmer when he launched into the tackle, while the challenge was also said to lack ‘intensity’.
Asked for his verdict, Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing and was just relieved Palmer was able to avoid an injury.
‘Lacked intensity?’ he questioned. ‘He’s jumped, he’s a bit athlete he’s jumped and landed on Cole Palmer’s Achilles’ heel.
Wilfried Ndidi received a yellow card for his tackle on Cole Palmer (Picture: Getty)
‘It could’ve been an out for the season job.
‘That’s an old-fashioned challenge. ‘I’m going to do you’ and he tries to swipe the ball with his left foot.
‘They were miles off it Leicester, they were frustrated, he lost his rag and should’ve been sent off.’
Fellow pundit Peter Crouch added: You get sent off for raising your hands or pushing someone? That could’ve put Cole Palmer out for the season.