The ‘direct send-off’ Yves Bissouma (27, Tottenham) is still suffering even though the game is over. The accusation.
Tottenham lost Yves Bissouma to a direct red card in the 25th minute of their 2023-2024 EPL Round 17 match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in Nottinghamshire, England, on Saturday (Sept. 16), but held on for a 2-0 victory.
The result keeps Tottenham in fifth place with 10 wins, three draws and four losses and 33 points. They closed the gap on leaders Liverpool (37 points), who have played one game less. It was their second straight win, following a 4-1 victory over Newcastle on Nov. 11.
‘Captain’ Son Heung-min started on the left flank and struggled to find support for ‘top man’ Heung-Song. Brennan Johnson was deployed on the right.
Heung-min worked diligently but was unable to generate any offense. In the 43rd minute of the second half, with his team up 2-0, he was replaced by Emerson Royal to finish the game.
It was a good start for Tottenham.
He gave Spurs the lead. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Thierry Henry headed home a cross from the right by Dejan Kulusebski. His fourth league goal.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Tottenham came close to equalizing. Nottingham’s Anthony Elanga rattled the Tottenham net, but video assistant referee (VAR) ruled him offside.
With their hearts in their mouths, Tottenham began to regain control of the game midway through the second half. In the 20th minute, Son Heung-min had a chance to turn the game around, but his shot was saved.
In the immediate aftermath, Tottenham snatched a second goal. Kuluczewski was the man of the match. He saw Nottingham goalkeeper Matt Turner miscue a kick under pressure and quickly rushed forward to collect the ball and shoot straight at him. It went in for a goal. His fifth goal of the season.
But suddenly, things took a turn for the worse for Tottenham. In the 25th minute of the second half, Bissouma contested a challenge with Ryan Yates, raised his foot high and kicked him in the shin. After an on-field review, the referee awarded a direct red card.
Tottenham manager Enzi Postecoglou reacted quickly to the sudden change of scenery, dropping the ‘one-goal man’ and bringing on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to fill the void left by Bissouma. Son Heung-min was given the task of playing in the center of the park and played until he was substituted in the 43rd minute.
Tottenham defended their two goals well to earn a clean sheet despite being a man down.
After the game, criticism was directed at Bissouma. He was sent off for an unnecessary tackle that cost Tottenham the game and ruled him out for the foreseeable future.
Bissouma’s sending-off, his second of the season, leaves Spurs with the most disgraceful sending-offs in the Premier League this season. “With Bissouma’s sending off, Tottenham have now had four bookings this season. That’s the most in the Premier League so far.”
Former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports in the UK that the referee was right to send Bissouma off.
“It was a red card in that situation. It was a clear decision. That’s why we have video assistant referees (VARs),” he said, adding that “VARs are top notch.” This means that Bissouma shouldn’t feel bad about being sent off.