Chelsea fans, Xabi Alonso and Morgan Rogers will have had their hearts in their mouths when the club-record signing jumped into a tackle with James Garner on Saturday. But did it deserve a red card?

The deadlock had not been broken, and while Chelsea were on top, they were struggling to create as they have done in previous games. Everton lacked attacking punch, but David Moyes’ side looked very solid.

It was a feisty encounter. Just ask Emi Martinez; he was stretchered off with a broken jaw. But in the first half, Rogers and Garner went into a full-blooded challenge. Referee Paul Tierney didn’t give a foul.

Dermot Gallagher believes lack of free-kick removed VAR

Tierney decided what most fans felt when watching the tackle: that the England teammates had gone into a 50-50 tackle. But replays do show Rogers leaping somewhat and catching Garner with his right foot.

Speaking on Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Gallagher believes VAR did not intervene because there was no free-kick, meaning the game didn’t stop. Also, VAR does not rule on second yellow cards.

With Reece James injured AGAIN, is it time to strip him of the captaincy? 😕 If so, who are you giving it to?

He is expected to be out for around three months…

“He’s lucky the ref didn’t give a free-kick. The ref plays on. He launches himself into it, but because the ref plays on, the dilemma for the VAR is: is it a second yellow card? VAR can’t do a second yellow card.

“Is it enough for a red card? With the referee not giving a foul, I think it took VAR out of the equation. I think it’s on the threshold [of a red card]. He actually leaps into it. That alone should send warning bells.”

Tim Sherwood believes it is a straight red card against Rogers

Typically, Sherwood was more extreme. The former Tottenham manager believes Rogers catches Garner high on the knee, and that was enough to reward a red card. He claims Garner could’ve broken his leg.

The presenter on Sky Sports asked: “Do you think that is closer to being a straight red card than nothing? Sherwood replied: “Yes. I’ve gone into so many challenges like that, you know you’re going to get hurt.

“It’s whoever gets hurt the most. Dermot would’ve played on back in the day. His [Rogers] right leg there; he [Rogers] could’ve broken [Garner’s] leg there. That’s a poor challenge; that’s a straight red card.”

Luckily, Rogers maintained his composure, having earlier earned a yellow card and completed the match without being sent off. He remains available this weekend, when Chelsea play host to rivals Tottenham.