Southampton captain Jack Stephen's was shown a straight red card for yanking Marc Cucurella's hair during Chelsea's 5-1 win at St. Mary's on Wednesday night.
The Blues were leading 3-1 when play was paused after referee Tony Harrington was told by the video assistant referee (VAR) to go and check the screen for possible violent conduct.
Upon inspection, Stephens could clearly be seen pulling Cucurella's hair from behind, causing the Spanish defender to go to ground. Without hesitation, Harrington sent Stephens for an early bath.
The red card for Stephens was his second of the season, with the 30-year-old having previously been sent off against Manchester United back in September.
After serving an initial two-match ban, he was then banned for another two games after being found guilty by the Football Association (FA) of using inappropriate language towards referee Stuart Attwell and fourth official Gavin Ward.
Unsurprisingly, Southampton fans aren't best pleased with Stephens' actions against Chelsea.
"Jack Stephens once again let's this football club down," wrote one fan on X. "Smash him with a fine, and never let him play for us again. Absolutely pathetic." "Jack Stephens isn't fit to be a captain after that," wrote another.
Blues thump sorry Saints
It took Chelsea just seven minutes to get the scoring going against Russell Martin's Southampton when Axel Disasi headed in Enzo Ferandez's corner. The home side levelled shortly after through Joe Aribo, but just six minutes later, Christopher Nkunku, in for just his second Premier League start of the campaign, then scored his 12th goal of the season in all competitions to restore the Blues' lead.
Goals from Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Jadon Sancho – his first for the club – then sealed an emphatic victory.
The win saw Enzo Maresca's side move up to second in the Premier League table and to within seven points of league leaders Liverpool, who on the same night drew 3-3 with Newcastle United at St. James' Park. Southampton, meanwhile, remain rock bottom of the top flight having gathered just five points from 14 games.
Comments