Chelsea given new Nicolas Jackson red card verdict after huge Newcastle blow

Dermot Gallagher has revealed whether or not he thinks Nicolas Jackson should've been sent off against Newcastle United. The 23-year-old striker was shown a red card during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon.

Jackson was initially cautioned for mistiming an aerial duel with Sven Botman. But, the Video Assistant Referee reviewed the incident and adjudged the Senegal international to have committed a 'serious foul play offence'.

So, John Brooks was sent to the pitch-side monitor. After watching the incident back, the on-field referee upgraded the yellow card to a red card.

Jackson will now serve a three-match ban, ruling him out of the rest of the Premier League season. Chelsea will host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Friday night before locking horns with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the final day of the season.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch show on Monday, Gallagher offered his verdict on the red card. The former referee said: "He looks at him, so he's made up his mind he's going to.

"He arrives at speed, and he can't challenge for the ball. The ball's not in the picture. I do think he's gone with a straight arm, straight into the player's face."

Stephen Warnock wasn't so sure, suggesting that Jackson was 'very unfortunate' to have been given his marching orders. The former Premier League defender noticed that Botman made no effort to win the duel, expecting impact from the Chelsea striker.

"The centre-back does not jump," said Warnock. "If the defender jumps, Jackson's arm goes into his chest. I just think it is mistimed from Jackson and it's very unfortunate."

The moment that Botman decided against jumping went unnoticed at the time. Speaking on TNT Sports at half-time, Peter Crouch described the challenge as a 'definite red card'.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker said: "If you're looking at the ball the whole way, there's an argument to say his arm is out to protect him. The two looks gave the game away. It's a definite red card."

Joe Cole added: "No, he can't (have any complaints). He has a look... bang! Forearm smash to the face. It's a silly thing to do. He gave the referee no choice."

Speaking to reporters after the game, Maresca expressed his disappointment with Jackson. As quoted by Sky Sports, the Chelsea boss said: "The red card has affected the game, no doubt.

"In this stadium against this team it's already complicated and if you give them one extra player it's even more difficult. But overall I think, especially in the second half, we had three big chances. With 10 players it's not easy.

"In terms of the red card, I think if the referee decides for a red card, it's a red card. The only thing is in some different stadiums, sometimes it's more the noise that decides if it's foul or not.

"And then with Nico I didn't speak [to him], it's not the moment. Probably in the next day we're going to speak with Nico..."

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