Defender Jurrien Timber escaped a red card during Tottenham vs Arsenal after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check on a challenge that sent Spurs’ Pedro Porro writhing on the turf in the 35th minute of the Premier League north London derby on Sunday.
A mass brawl threatened to break out between players from both sides after Timber’s tackle on Porro, which proved to be one of seven yellow cards before the interval – matching the Premier League first-half record.
“Timber is very, very lucky,” former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports, discussing a game officiated by Jarred Gillett.
“He’s given the referee a decision to make. It’s an unusual action because he definitely goes over the top of the ball, with his studs on it.
“His foot then bounces on the ball. Other referees would have sent him off. It’s excessive force he has gone in with – it’s an unusual action.”
It’s all kicking off in the North London derby 😳 pic.twitter.com/vyE1bTanar
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024
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Timber challenge vs Arsenal
Redknapp called the incident “very similar” to a dismissal for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season because of a challenge on Yves Bissouma.
Ex-England defender Gary Neville interpreted what he had heard during the VAR officials’ deliberations, broadcast from their Stockley Park base.
“Timber touches the ball but he doesn’t follow through over it, which is what saved him from it being a red card,” Neville told the broadcaster.
“The foot goes on top of the ball but he hasn’t followed through. There was one here last season – from Curtis Jones, when he tried to put his foot on top of the ball but went over it – and that ended up being a red card.”
Another North London derby threatens to boil over 👀💥 pic.twitter.com/zeXj4ogglP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024
Tottenham vs Arsenal: VAR ruling
Announcing the reasoning for the decision, the Premier League said VAR had adjudged “a reckless challenge and not serious foul play”.
Tottenham began the day three points behind their arch-rivals after a win, draw and defeat from their opening three matches.
Spurs accrued five of the first-half bookings as they pursued a first victory in six meetings with Arsenal, last prevailing with a home win in May 2022.
