Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was shown a yellow card after a late challenge that left Chelsea full back Reece James with studs in his ankle during a heated Premier League derby.

James was first to a loose ball but received a full set of studs into his ankle for his troubles. On-pitch referee Jarred Gillett, who was taking charge of this infamously feisty fixture for the first time, gave himself some thinking time. After an exchange of views with the VAR in Stockley Park, Gillett brandished a yellow, rather than red, card. Much to James’s evident fury, his Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah was also booked for arguing with the referee.

During the half-time interval the Premier League’s official match centre explained that: “The referee’s call of yellow card to Bentancur was checked and confirmed by VAR—with the contact deemed to be a reckless challenge and not serious foul play.”

Law 12 in the FA Handbook details the subtle differences in its definition of “reckless” challenges and “serious foul play.” That distinction underpinned the match officials’ decision to leave Bentancur on the field.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher was quick to dismiss the incident. The former Liverpool defender, no stranger to a forceful lunge of his own back in his playing days, argued that Bentancur didn’t make contact high enough up James’s shin to warrant a red card.

The verdict did not settle opinion among supporters. Social media reaction was sharply divided, with some users questioning Bentancur’s decision-making and others angry that the tackle did not merit a sending-off:

“Sometimes I genuinely do not understand the thought process behind some of Bentancur’s actions.”

“How is Bentancur not sent off? I get its a derby, but those challanges should be red regardless imo”

The confirmation from VAR that the challenge was reckless rather than serious foul play resolved the formal outcome, but it ensured the incident remained a contentious talking point after the match.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea saw an unusual change to match-day substitution options after an early head injury. Ordinarily, teams may name nine players on the bench and make up to five substitutions. That framework was altered when Spurs midfielder Lucas Bergvall took a blow to the head.

The Premier League introduced concussion substitutions in 2021 after consultation with medical experts and national associations. Those measures, along with other changes, are regularly reviewed by the International Football Association Board, which upholds the laws of the game.

With Spurs’ medical team suspecting Bergvall may have suffered a concussion, he was withdrawn by Frank to be replaced by summer signing Xavi Simons. Because Bergvall’s removal was treated under the concussion substitution protocols, both teams were permitted an extra change for the fixture. As a result, Chelsea are now able to make six changes and can implement that if Maresca wants to make additional tactical tweaks.

The adjustment is procedural: it follows the concussion protocols that allow for temporary or permanent changes to substitution allowances when a player is removed on medical grounds. The immediate aim is player safety, but the consequence in this context is a tactical one, with the away side able to deploy an additional substitute beyond the usual five. Supporters may see that as offering an advantage, but the decision rests on the medical assessment and the competition rules introduced to protect players after head impacts.

Liam Delap will miss Chelsea’s match against Tottenham Hotspur after a red card in the Carabao Cup. The dismissal, which followed challenges on Yerson Mosquera and Emmanuel Agbadou, came in a tie that finished 4–3 at Molineux on Wednesday. The incident means the striker is unavailable for the north London game because red-card suspensions apply across English domestic competitions.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was unambiguous in his assessment. “We had a very stupid red card that was completely unnecessary and was absolutely deserved,” he said, referring to the foul that led to two yellow cards and then a sending-off. “We can avoid red cards like these and we have to avoid them. When it’s a red card like today, it’s embarrassing. There were two yellow cards in seven minutes, both avoidable.”

Delap returned to the dressing room remorseful. “Straight after the game in the changing room, yeah. He apologised to everyone,” Maresca said. “I spoke with Liam, but Liam, he knows everything. He is aware of the situation. He knows that he made a mistake. And full stop. No more than that.”

The incident is part of a broader disciplinary pattern this season. Chelsea have recorded five sendings-off in 2025–26, not including Maresca’s own dismissal against Liverpool. The club’s list of dismissals this term includes:

– Sept. 20 / Man Utd — Robert Sánchez — Denial of goalscoring opportunity
– Sept. 27 / Brighton — Trevoh Chalobah — Denial of goalscoring opportunity
– Sept. 30 / Benfica — João Pedro — Two yellow cards
– Oct. 4 / Liverpool — Enzo Maresca — Two yellow cards
– Oct. 18 / Nottingham Forest — Malo Gusto — Two yellow cards
– Oct. 29 / Wolves — Liam Delap — Two yellow cards

Maresca acknowledged the need for improvement, saying the issue is “something that we have to do better.” With Delap sidelined for the Tottenham fixture, Chelsea must adjust their forward options for a high-profile encounter in the Premier League.