Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision to send off Cole Palmer during Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, while Tim Sherwood claimed the midfielder knew what he was doing when he caught Conor Gallagher's ankle.

According to a report by Football London on Monday, 26 October 2026, Palmer was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards during the heated Premier League encounter, which featured several controversial incidents involving players from both sides.

The Chelsea midfielder received his first booking in the 67th minute after pushing Mateus Fernandes to the ground following the Tottenham player's deliberate handball to stop an attack.

The incident sparked a confrontation involving several players, with Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven also booked for a late challenge on Moises Caicedo shortly before the altercation.

Palmer was sent off nine minutes later after catching Conor Gallagher's outstretched leg with his studs. Gallagher subsequently reviewed the incident on Sky Sports' Ref Watch and supported the referee's decision.

"I think so [the second one is a yellow card]. Why would you make a tackle like that on a yellow card? He doesn't get the ball, he's a long way from it, his studs land on Gallagher's ankle," Gallagher said.

Sherwood also agreed with the decision, suggesting Palmer was aware of the potential consequences of his challenge.

"He knows what he's doing, he knows Gallagher is there and planted his foot on him. He's got it in him, Cole, should have been sent off last week," Sherwood said.

The former Tottenham manager also questioned Palmer's reaction during the earlier incident involving Fernandes, arguing that the Chelsea player could have faced a straight red card.

Gallagher, however, acknowledged that Palmer's first booking was open to interpretation.

"I'd back the referee because it is open for debate. Some people think it is a red, others thinks it is a yellow," he said.

Van de Ven's challenge on Caicedo also attracted criticism, with some observers believing the Tottenham defender should have been dismissed. Gallagher disagreed, arguing that the referee was right not to issue a red card.

"I don't think it is a red card. I wonder really if the best thing to do on a tackle like that is just blow your whistle. If you do that and stop the game, the rest goes away," he said.

There was further debate over a challenge by Morgan Rogers on Gallagher, which Gary Neville suggested warranted a red card. Gallagher rejected that assessment, stating that he would not consider the incident a sending-off offence.