'It looks very nasty' -  Michael Owen insists Onyeka was lucky to escape red card against Sheffield United 

Former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has insisted that Frank Onyeka was fortunate to escape a first half dismissal during Brentford's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday. 

James McAtee scored what proved to be the game-wining goal for Sheffield United right on the stroke of halftime with a stunner from outside the box.

As the game edged towards the half-hour mark, referee Stuart Attwell issued a yellow card to Onyeka for going in hard on Vinicius Souza with his studs up.

The on-field decision of the referee stood following a VAR review, which the Blades fans naturally disagreed with. 

Onyeka was walking a disciplinary tightrope and was replaced before the start of the second half by manager Thomas Frank. 

Owen, who was on punditry duties for Premier League Productions, reckons that the referee was lenient on the Nigeria international and a red card should have been produced. 

He said: "Lucky boy Onyeka. There was a lot of force, he catches him, does very, very well not to get hurt here. 

"In normal time it does not look the worst, it looks he just mistimed it.  When you slow it down it looks very nasty."

Following his yellow card against Sheffield United, his fourth of the season, Onyeka is now one caution away from receiving an automatic one-game ban. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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