Gary Neville has criticised the decision not to send off Arsenal forward Kai Havertz during Monday night's 1-0 win over Burnley, labelling the challenge 'vicious' and 'horrible'. The incident occurred in the 67th minute when Havertz lunged into Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, catching him on the calf with his studs.
Referee Paul Tierney showed a yellow card, and VAR James Bell upheld the on-field decision. The Premier League's Match Centre explained on X: 'The referee's call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play.'
Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, disagreed: 'I don't like that. I don't like it at all. It's a horrible one, it's vicious from Havertz. I think this is a red. There's no way you're getting the ball, you can only hurt the player there.' He added: 'I don't think it's right - he's a lucky boy.'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta substituted Havertz shortly after the incident, bringing on Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners are now one win away from a first Premier League title in 22 years, with a final-day trip to Crystal Palace. Arteta urged fans to 'be the protagonists' in the remaining games, including a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
