Ndidi escapes red card after going in hard on Palmer: Ex-Man Utd and Arsenal stars insist he was lucky

Chelsea's position in the top three was further strengthened on Saturday afternoon following a comfortable 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Enzo Maresca's return to the King Power Stadium got off to a perfect start as Nicolas Jackson gave the Blues a deserved lead, bullying his way through the Foxes defence before poking past Hermansen in the 16th minute. 

Leicester City's problems were compounded further in the 75th minute when Enzo Fernández doubled the advantage with a neat finish, before Jordan Ayew pulled one back deep into stoppage time from the penalty spot. 

The big talking point from the first half was the decision of referee Andy Madley not to send off Wilfred Ndidi after he went in hard on Chelsea's star player Cole Palmer. 

The Nigeria international caught Cole Palmer on the back of the leg, and there were calls from the Chelsea bench for the Leicester City man to be sent off as they felt it warranted more than just a booking.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit and ex-Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves have insisted that Ndidi was fortunate to still be on the pitch after his nasty challenge on Chelsea's number 20.

Reacting to the incident, Petit said on Premier League Productions at halftime: "For me the rules are simple, a bad challenge from behind especially this one. It's very painful and we spoke about that when we were watching this action.

"All referees protect the top players in every single competition. For me Cole Palmer is the best player in the Premier League so for me, it's a red card."

VAR reviewed Ndidi's challenge but determined that the tackle lacked sufficient intensity.

Hargreaves added: "I can understand that but I think I'm with Manu in the sense he's nowhere near the ball. That's the most vulnerable place for you, your Achilles, there's no protection there.

"Cole, he knows he's there, but he's not anticipating the bad challenge like that. He's lucky, it's a bad challenge".

With Ndidi walking a disciplinary tightrope, he made way for Jordan Ayew in the 71st minute. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com