The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel have voted that two of Chris Kavanagh’s big decisions were wrong during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 2–0 win at Stamford Bridge was their first win at the stadium in 8 years and just their 2nd win ever at the venue during the Premier League era.

It was a dominant performance for Roberto De Zerbi’s men, who controlled the game from start to finish and gave away very few chances.

In the end, an own goal from young Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders nd a brilliant late solo goal by Mathys Tel ensured the Lilywhites emerged comfortable winners.

As is always the case when Chelsea play Spurs, the game was not short of controversy, with some contentious decisions being made by the referee.

KMI panel say Cole Palmer should have got a straight red against Tottenham

Cole Palmer received his first yellow card in the 70th minute for barging into Spurs midfielder Mateus Fernandes, causing him to go down holding his face.

He received his second yellow card in the 80th minute for a late, mistimed challenge on Conor Gallagher, resulting in his dismissal.

However, the Key Match Incidents panel, which consists of five officials voting on each decision, have voted three to two that Palmer should have been given a straight red by Kavanagh for barging into Fernandes.

Premier League KMI report card for Gameweek 8 reads: “The on-field no-red-card decision was deemed incorrect, 3:2. The majority felt that Palmer’s action on Fernandes was clear contact to the head as well as unnecessary, dangerous and made with excessive force.

“Two panellists supported the on-field call as they viewed the action as aggressive with no excessive force. All panellists supported the VAR’s decision not to intervene and support the referee’s call, given that a yellow card was awarded on-field.”

Spurs Web looked at the Premier League’s own rules on violent conduct and the rules state that a player who is not challenging for the ball will be dismissed if they:

Concerning Palmer’s second yellow, the panel concluded: “The on-field second yellow card decision was supported, 4:1. The challenge from Palmer is reckless and avoidable. One panellist deemed this incorrect for a careless foul rather than reckless, but supported the VAR not intervening as this decision should remain the referee’s call.”

KMI panel say Spurs should have had a penalty against Chelsea

During an 84th-minute corner for Spurs, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo persistently held and pulled back Dominic Solanke in the penalty area.

Kavanagh waved away Tottenham’s penalty appeals on the field, and VAR opted not to intervene. The KMI panel voted 3-2 that Caicedo had fouled Solanke in the box, but they also felt that the decision did not meet the threshold for VAR to intervene.

You can watch a video of the incident below:

They said about Spurs’ late penalty shout: “The on-field no-penalty call was deemed incorrect, 3:2. The majority felt Caicedo was persistently holding Solanke whilst facing away from the ball and impacting the ability of the opponent to progress. Two panellists supported the on-field call as they felt both players were engaging and Caicedo was twisting to look at the ball. The VAR decision to not intervene was supported, 3:2.”