‘Leg-breaker’: Spurs star Kane somehow escapes red card for horror lunge – before victim Robertson gets sent off (VIDEO)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane appeared to ride his luck after committing a reckless lunge on Liverpool’s Andy Robertson during a fiery Premier League clash on Sunday.
Kane went in studs-first on the Liverpool full-back midway through the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving the Scotland star in a heap on the turf.
Replays showed just how badly England ace Kane had mistimed his tackle as his studs connected with Robertson’s lower right shin.
This is a clean tackle from Harry Kane pic.twitter.com/sUxITJBSEx
— ➰ (@UTDMarcel) December 19, 2021
Despite anger from Liverpool players and the sidelines, Kane got off with a yellow card from referee Paul Tierney – much to the bemusement of many online.
“Kane is a very lucky boy. This is an easy sending off. Out of control, studs high, dangerous tackle. If Robertson plants that feet, it could have been worse,” said one observer.
Kane is a very lucky boy. This is an easy sending off. Out of control, studs high, dangerous tackle. If Robertson plants that feet, it could have been worse. pic.twitter.com/9x4XHBeX25
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) December 19, 2021
“English players just enthusiastically mistime tackles, unlike cruel overseas hatchet men who love fouls,” tweeted journalist Duncan Alexander sarcastically.
English players just enthusiastically mistime tackles, unlike cruel overseas hatchet men who love fouls
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) December 19, 2021
“Harry Kane with an absolutely disgusting leg breaking tackle, studs up. Naturally it’s not looked at by VAR,” said another fan.
Harry Kane with an absolutely disgusting leg breaking tackle, studs up. Naturally it’s not looked at by VAR #TOTLIV
— Alex Morrow (@vblock) December 19, 2021
VAR rules that Harry Kane is the England captain.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) December 19, 2021
How was that Harry Kane tackle not a red card?If it wasn't the England captain he would have been gone#TOTLIV
— Matt_1980 UTM 🐟 🐟 🐟 (@Grumpy_GreyHead) December 19, 2021
Should Harry Kane have been shown a red card for this tackle? 🤔 #TOTLIVpic.twitter.com/OUiHkeTdKW
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 19, 2021
The Premier League later clarified why Kane had not been given his marching orders, according to beIN Sports, saying the challenge had not had "the intensity or the point of contact" to warrant a red card.
"Not the intensity, or the point of contact for a red card"The Premier League has shared the reasons why Harry Kane was not shown a red card for that challenge on Andy Robertson. #beINPL#TOTLIV Watch Now 👉 https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4pic.twitter.com/Az6e6bpMsA
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) December 19, 2021
Kane had earlier ended his goal drought with a superb finish in the 13th minute to put Antonio Conte’s men in front.
The goal was Kane’s first of the Premier League season at home and just his second in total in the current campaign.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬. pic.twitter.com/2Qy3fzA6p8
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 19, 2021
Spurs spurned good chances to take a 2-0 lead against Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasers when both Son Heung-min and Dele Alli missed opportunities when they should have done better.
Aptly for many considering the damage Kane had almost done, it was Robertson who helped Liverpool get back into the game when his cross was headed in by Diogo Jota for the equalizer in the 35th minute.
The Scotsman then put his team in front when he struck in the 69th minute from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, a goal which was eventually cleared after a VAR check.
𝑷𝑼𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑨𝑺𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵. ❤ pic.twitter.com/Fq59XJgJKy
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2021
However, the drama continued as Spurs pulled level with a strike from South Korean star Son five minutes later.
Incredibly, Robertson himself was then handed a straight red card after a VAR review following his scything challenge on Emerson in the 77th minute.
Robertson sent off, what a shocking challenge 😳 #TOTLIVpic.twitter.com/kl9qFTkseX
— Champions of Europe 🏆🏆 (@jooshmxrtin) December 19, 2021
Was VAR & the ref right to send Andy Robertson off for this? 🤔 #TOTLIVpic.twitter.com/ItDdCGIfoY
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 19, 2021
70': Scores equalizer77': Gets red cardAndy Robertson 😳 pic.twitter.com/hF75k4XHn1
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 19, 2021
3 - Andy Robertson is the first player to score, assist and be sent off in a Premier League game since Aleksandar Mitrovic in May 2016. Centre.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 19, 2021
The incident-packed encounter ended 2-2 as Spurs continued their unbeaten Premier League start under new boss Conte, while Klopp’s visitors cut the gap to Manchester City at the top of the table to three points.