Kevin Phillips: Michal Helik should have been sent off v West Brom
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips believes that Michal Helik should have been shown a red card for his tackle on West Brom loanee Jordan Hugill on December 17.
The Baggies looked poised to hit them on the counter-attack in the dying stages of the game.
To stop them from grabbing a late winner, Helik, the Barnsley defender lunged into a challenge on Hugill.
This nasty coming together saw the Norwich City player having to be withdrawn in stoppage time.
The referee’s failure to send the Polish defender off, made many question the officiating standards in the division.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips said, “That was a high tackle. I’ve seen a few recently, like the Harry Kane tackle.
“It’s exactly the same. For me, it’s a red card.
“I have to say that the referees in the Championship are a little bit more lenient than the Premier League.
“Spotlight’s definitely not on them that much, but in my opinion, that’s a red card.
“I think he (Helik) got away with one there.”
Harry Kane made a similar challenge on Liverpool defender Andy Roberston on December 19.
Despite there being VAR, the referee was not asked to review the incident and the England captain was only handed a yellow card.
In other West Brom news, Chris Lepkowski makes shocking behind-the-scenes unrest claim at the Hawthorns
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