'That tackle was about 15-20 years ago' - Neville believes Udogie should have been sent off in first half v Chelsea

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has blasted Destiny Udogie for his tackle on Raheem Sterling in the first half of the game between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur yesterday night.

In an attempt to win the ball, the Italy-born defender launched a two-footed tackle on the Chelsea forward in the 18th minute of the encounter and was given a yellow card as a result.

The incident was eventually subjected to a VAR check but the central referee, Michael Oliver concluded that the tackle was not enough to warrant a red card.

Neville while doing his assessment of the incident after the game reprimanded the left back and felt he was lucky to have stayed on the pitch after the tackle.

"He gets the ball, but let's have a look at it from here," Gary Neville told Sky Sports via Football London.

"That's the one that the footballers and professionals hate. You don't do that. That tackle was about 15-20 years ago and I think that is the classic red card.

"I think he may get away with it because of the fact he gets the ball, but that's a shocker that - you don't do that anymore, or ever did because you knew you were going to be in trouble.

"Raheem Sterling sees him coming and just pulls his leg away, but he's a lucky boy. That is a challenge that is universally hated."

Udogie was eventually sent off before the hour mark after he made another reckless tackle on Sterling, thereby reducing Tottenham to 9-men.

At the time of his sending-off, both teams were on level terms but the Blues would go on to maximize their numerical advantage and inflict on  Ange Postecoglou's side their first Premier League loss of the season.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com

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