Thursday, August 14, 2025

Ref Watch: Did Collins deserve red for tackle on Grealish?

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In a special Tuesday edition of Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher explains the best and the worst of the big decisions in England and Scotland.

Wolves 0-3 Man City

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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher feels Wolves defender Nathan Collins deserved to be sent off for this challenge on Jack Grealish

INCIDENT: Nathan Collins jumps into a challenge against Man City’s Jack Grealish, leading with his studs as he hits the England forward in the chest. He’s shown a straight red card by referee Anthony Taylor.

DERMOT SAYS: “I think very few people would think it’s not [a red card]. I don’t know why he’s made that challenge, he’s high, he’s dangerous, he’s caught him above the waist – there’s nothing you can say, it has to be a red card.

“To Anthony Taylor’s credit, he’s identified it straight away, he’s seen the severity of it and produced a red card.”

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Did Nathan Collins’ red card dismissal against Man City resemble Erling Haaland’s challenge against Crystal Palace, which went unpunished?

On similarities with Erling Haaland’s unpunished high boot vs Crystal Palace: “It’s a totally different challenge, he’s there. Collins has gone into make the challenge, Haaland has gone to get the ball – the defender comes into his space, he doesn’t know he’s there, he doesn’t see him.