'Right outcome' - Dermot Gallagher's verdict on Leeds United red card and 'hilarious' Crystal Palace celebration
Leeds United were reduced to 10 men following the controversial red card on Sunday.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Thomas Bramall was right to send Gabriel Gudmundsson off at Crystal Palace.
Gudmundsson was dismissed in controversial circumstances on Sunday as Leeds drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace. The Swede was shown a second yellow card in first-half added-time for a soft foul on Ismaila Sarr, having initially been booked for bringing down Brennan Johnson.
Referee Bramall brandished a debatable yellow card but had seemingly forgotten about Gudmundsson’s earlier booking, glancing down at his cards to double check. He was surrounded by Palace players and had to get advice from fourth official Paul Tierney before showing a red.
“Whether he had forgotten or not, he did get the right outcome,” Gallagher told Sky Sports Ref Watch. “His colleagues have supported him.
“It is quite comical, if you watch the whole incident the Leeds No.14 [Lukas Nmecha] actually says to Gudmundsson he might want to go away. But he gives him a yellow card, he’s already had one 20 minutes earlier. It’s a red card. Between them, they’ve got it right.”
Leeds might debate otherwise, pointing to the fact that not every foul is worthy of a yellow card. And that is a point former striker Jay Bothroyd made in response to Gallagher’s verdict.
"I genuinely don't think that second one was a yellow card offence,” he said. “I think Gudmundsson was right to plead his case. If he knew he was on a yellow, I don't think he would have given him another one."
Dermot Gallagher on Crystal Palace red card celebrations
The decision to send Gudmundsson off drew loud cheers from the home crowd at Selhurst Park and also some on the pitch. Palace defender Jaydee Canvot was seen excitedly celebrating the dismissal behind Bramall.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney labelled Canvot’s response a ‘disgrace’. But former Premier League referee Gallagher thought it was funny.
“This is the highlight of it,” he said of Canvot’s celebration. “It was amazing, it was hilarious.”
Daniel Farke won’t have seen the funny side, with his side starved of the chance to fight for three points following the red card. Leeds defended brilliantly to earn a point at Selhurst Park but might feel they could have taken all three without the disadvantage.
"I'm not sure there are really words needed, everyone in the stadium could see," Farke said. "It was not even close to a yellow card, there was no pace in the duel, it was not a tactical foul.
“Why he has decided to give a yellow, has forgotten this player is on a yellow and was himself surprised his decision means a sending off. When you compare this when Brennan Johnson [on a yellow] was there with a tackle with more pace, a clear tactical foul - it was not a yellow for me, I'm not asking for a yellow/red.
“But for Gabi, his second foul of the game, then the game is influenced in a key matter. Details make the difference, a player less makes 10 per cent difference more or less. Thank God we found a way to travel with a point."