The Premier League has issued an explanation to clarify why Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was not shown a straight red card for his tackle on Chelsea's Reece James on Saturday.
Towards the end of a feisty first half, Bentancur stopped Chelsea's counter attack with a forceful tackle on James, catching the defender on the ankle.
The Chelsea captain was furious to see referee Jarred Gillett only reach for a yellow card, convinced that it should have been deemed serious foul play.
As soon as Bentancur made contact with James' ankle, several players from both sides came together in a chaotic melee, which resulted in Trevoh Chalobah also being shown a yellow card after getting in the face of the Uruguayan.
Eager to clear up why VAR had not overturned Gillett's on-field decision, the Premier League Match Centre released an explanation on social media shortly into the second half.
'The referee’s call of yellow card to Bentancur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed to be a reckless challenge and not serious foul play,' the post read.
Former Spurs star Jamie Redknapp, who was working as a pundit in the Sky Sports studio, claimed that Bentancur only escaped serious punishment because the challenge was low on James' ankle.
'He knows he's leaving a little bit on him,' Redknapp said at half time. 'He's late, he's aggressive, he's over the top of the ball. A little bit higher, it's a red card.'
On Sky Sports commentary duty, Jamie Carragher hinted that Bentancur was lucky not to be given his marching orders.
'It catches him on the ankle and it'll be a sore one for him. It looks worse in slow motion,' the Liverpool legend said.
Meanwhile, during beIN Sports' half-time analysis, Richard Keys simply said: 'I'm lost for words. He's got to go!'
Despite feeling aggrieved by the decision, Chelsea still went on to claim all three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a comfortable 1-0 win.
Joao Pedro ended his goal drought with a cool finish inside the penalty box in the 35th minute, firing Chelsea in front after being set up superbly by the tenacity of Moises Caicedo.
The Ecuadorian showed great spirit to twice win the ball off Tottenham's defenders and lay the ball into Pedro's path, before the striker finished with aplomb.