On Thursday night, Manchester United suffered a heartbreaking loss at Brighton and Hove Albion, but things might have turned out even worse after a contentious incident.
What happened at Brighton on Thursday?
In their matchup with the Seagulls, Erik ten Hag’s team was up against a formidable opponent, and they ultimately lost very late after Alexis Mac Allister converted a penalty in stoppage time.
Even so, Brighton might have had an easier time winning if a crucial decision had gone in their favor because United winger Antony might have been dismissed for fighting Lewis Dunk and Mac Allister.
The winger started by kicking Mac Allister, then engaged in a fight with Dunk as Brighton players yelled in frustration. He was eventually given a yellow card.
Although there is a case to be made that Antony deserved a red card, referee Andre Marriner decided that a yellow card was sufficient for the entire outburst in which he failed to maintain his composure.
Because United ultimately fell short, the decision may not have had as much of an effect as it would have had Brighton lost, as the hosts could have played the remaining 20 minutes with ten men.
Did Marriner make the right decision?
Antony should have received two yellow cards because the kick-out and the altercation constituted two offenses. He could have been cautioned for both offenses and therefore dismissed even though neither warranted a straight red card.
Last season, Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal committed a similar back-to-back offense; Michael Oliver issued him two bookings and sent him off.
This ought to have established a rule that stipulates two bookable infractions always warrant two yellow cards, regardless of whether they occur back-to-back during the same play. It may not have been the best choice to keep Antony on staff after he and Dunk got into a fight.
Given that he shouldn’t have been on the field, Brighton would have been right to feel resentful if Antony had gone on to score for United in the game. The hosts might have found it simpler to determine the winner if United had only been down to ten players.
Since Antony would have been suspended if Marriner had dismissed him, his availability for United’s trip to West Ham United is now possible.
