According to a report by Football London on Monday, October 26, 2026, Chelsea have been told that Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven was fortunate to escape a red card following his late challenge on Moises Caicedo during their heated Premier League encounter.

former refereeing experts disagreed over whether the Dutch international deserved to be sent off.

Van de Ven received a yellow card after making a high challenge on Caicedo during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

The incident sparked a confrontation involving several players, with Cole Palmer later being sent off during the match.

Chelsea were attacking down the right when Van de Ven rushed in to challenge Caicedo but failed to make contact with the ball. Palmer subsequently collected possession before Mateus Fernandes stopped his progress by deliberately handling the ball while on the ground.

Fernandes was attempting to recover when Palmer knocked him down again, prompting further tensions between the players.

The referee cautioned Fernandes and Van de Ven, while Palmer also received a booking during the confrontation.

However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher disagreed with suggestions that Van de Ven should have received a straight red card.

Speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "He [Chris Kavanagh] went back and booked him. I do not think it was a red card, you have to be very, very careful what you start chucking red cards about for."

He added: "But I wonder really if the best thing to do with a tackle like that is juts blow your whistle and stop it, yellow card him and then the rest goes away."

Former footballer Jay Bothroyd offered a different assessment, arguing that Caicedo's reaction prevented the incident from becoming more serious.

"If Caicedo does not jump out the way and hurdle him, that is a straight red card all day long," Bothroyd said.

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood also criticised the challenge, suggesting Van de Ven was fortunate that Caicedo avoided a more serious injury.