Tottenham Hotspur winger Son Heung-min has been dubbed a 'lucky boy' for escaping harsher punishment for a heavy challenge on Fulham's Kenny Tete.
Fans on social media have questioned Son's reputation as a clean player after highlighting the tackle, which was only deemed worthy of a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney, even after consulting VAR.
Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game in a dour Premier League contest at Craven Cottage, equalling the all-time Spurs scoring record held by club legend Jimmy Greaves in the process.
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But it might have been different for Fulham if Son had been shown a red card.
Spurs saw out a win that keeps in the hunt for fourth place, as they now trail Manchester United by just three points, albeit having played a game more. Fulham, meanwhile, are still flying high in seventh despite the defeat.
Some on Twitter, led by Arsenal fan Ben, cited the challenge by Son as an example of a player's 'clean' and 'fair' reputation – in their view – saving them from harsher punishment by referees.
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Another on the social media site called Son a 'lucky boy', although former Premier League referee Mark Halsey told The Sun he believed a yellow card was the correct call by Tierney.
He said: "Son was a fraction late and caught Tete on his ankle, but I did not think the challenge was with excessive force. If Son had been higher then he would have been sent off. It’s a subjective call and not a clear and obvious error by Tierney so VAR official Michael Oliver did not intervene."
Supporters have reacted to the tackle, criticising the South Korea international for his reckless challenge.
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One person said: "Not that sort of player. He's a nice guy. Bloke does this on a regular basis."
Another tweeted: "Just seen the replay Son a lucky boy to still be on the field for that challenge on Tete."
A third commented: "Forget the loss, that Son tackle has left a bitter taste, in hindsight Tete should’ve done a few more rollie pollies to get him sent off."
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While someone put: "How’s Son not seen red for that challenge on Tete?!"
The yellow card was just Son's second in all competitions this season – and his first in the league. He received just three last term and none at all in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, he received a red card on three separate occasions in 2019 – the first player to do so since Lee Cattermole a decade earlier – with his tackle on Everton's Andre Gomes resulting in a broken leg for the player and Son in tears.
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Son Heung Min, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur