Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted Cole Palmer was right to be shown a red card in Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham. Palmer was sent off for two yellow card offences but both incidents could have led to a straight red card.

His first booking came in the 67th minute after with bumping Mateus Fernandes to the ground after the Tottenham midfielder stopped Palmer attacking with a deliberate handball. The incident sparked a huge brawl with Micky van de Ven also cautioned for a late tackle on Moises Caicedo moments earlier.

Gary Neville suggested Palmer's reaction could have been deemed a red card but nine minutes later he was given his marching orders courtesy of a second yellow after catching Conor Gallagher's outstretched leg with his studs. And now Gallagher has offered a verdict on the Palmer incidents and three other potential red cards.

He said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch: "I think so [the second one is a yellow card]. Why would you make a tackle like that on a yellow card? He is nowhere near the ball, his studs land on the ankle and the referee sees it as a reckless challenge."

Tim Sherwood agreed with Gallagher and made the bold claim that he knew what he was doing and should have been dismissed last weekend as well. He said: "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.

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On the first incident, Gallagher stated: "I'd back the referee because it is open for debate. Some people think it is a red, others thinks it is a yellow."

Sherwood then brutally added: "I think he has a bit of petulance in him, kicked the ball away last week, should have been a second yellow. He might've got the red card for the first challenge but that's a yellow yes.

"Why's he got so angry with it? If you stick your head in, you only have to move your head a little bit, he's done more than that (with Fernandes). It's not dangerous but if you're going to send someone off for putting your head into someone's nose, he's barged him out the way."

There was also controversy over Van de Ven's late tackle with many wanting to see a red card for the Tottenham captain, but Gallagher disagreed.

He said: "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."

There was also a Morgan Rogers incident, where he swiped at Tottenham's Gallagher with Neville stating on commentary that he should have also been dismissed.

Gallagher, on the other hand, disagreed stating: "I would never consider that as a red card. I don't know what that does to be a red card."