Manchester City have won their appeal against the straight red card afforded the club’s captain and colossus Vincent Kompany during the historic win at Arsenal last weekend…
Towards the end of City’s 0-2 win, Kompany won the ball cleanly with one foot in a 50-50 challenge with Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere who was already going to ground over his own ankle. Referee Mike Dean from his angle deemed the tackle to be two footed and gave the Belgian international a straight red. Whether or not Dean felt goaded into the decision by a seething Arsenal crowd and team who had arguably become hellbent upon a City player seeing red following the early dismissal of Laurent Koscielny remains open to debate.
The FA decision to overturn Kompany’s red is a massive boost to Roberto Mancini and his resurgent City side who are bursting with confidence, team spirit and self-belief.
One year ago, City lost Kompany throughout an important January to a dubious straight red card for an athletic ball winning tackle 12 minutes into an FA Cup clash against the Stretfords. The referee in question Chris Foy was roundly goaded by Wayne Rugney in particular before reaching for his pocket.
Above all else, fears that the FA upholding Dean’s rash decision would signal the deathknell for tackling in English football have been allayed.
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
Sa 19Jan 15h00 Fulham, The Etihad, PL
Sa/Su 26/27Jan Crystal Palace or Stoke City, A, FAC4
Tu 29Jan 19h45 QPR, Loftus Road, PL
Su 03Feb 16h00 Liverpool, The Etihad, PL
Sa 09Feb 17h30 Southampton, St Mary’s, PL
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