Liverpool fans have been left fuming after Chelsea’s Malo Gusto escaped a red card against Fulham.
The Frenchman, 20, was booked after clattering into Willian six minutes before half-time in the lunchtime kick-off at Stamford Bridge. The high-looking challenge was checked by VAR, but no further punishment was recommended as Gusto stayed on the pitch.
For Liverpool supporters, the tackle brought back memories of Curtis Jones’ foul which led to his straight red card during the infamous 2-1 defeat at Tottenham in September, when a legitimate Darwin Nunez goal was disallowed following a VAR cock-up.
One Reds fan, who posted a picture of the two tackles, raged: “I want someone to tell me the difference between these two tackles that meant Gusto got a yellow and Jones got a red. You can’t. The consistency in this league is genuinely appalling.”
Another fumed “That Gusto challenge is 100% worse than what Curtis Jones got sent off for.” A third added: “Can’t believe that Gusto challenge. Was it not the exact same as the Curtis Jones sending off earlier in the season?”
Other fans were left asking similar questions. A fourth said: “Been so many reds this season for challenges far tamer than that Gusto one.”
A fifth asked: “How on earth has Gusto not been sent off then?” Another commented: “Gusto again! Is that not a red in the modern game?” A seventh stated: “Seen players sent off for way less than that Gusto foul this season. Not that referees make it up as they go along or anything…”
Shortly after the incident, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Raheem Sterling was sent tumbling in the box by Issa Diop. Cole Palmer stroked home the spot-kick.
