Why Cole Palmer will be available for next Premier League game against Manchester United
When Cole Palmer was sent off last night against Tottenham in their 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, many Chelsea fans thought that the England international would miss their next Premier League game against Manchester United on October 31.
Although domestic competition rules will state that he will serve his one-match suspension against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Chelsea star was given a red card after two yellows, whilst his side was 1-0 down against Spurs after 21-year-old goalkeeper Mike Penders' unfortunate mistake to give Roberto De Zerbi's side the lead after 77 minutes.
Palmer was given his first yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh after 71 minutes for piling into Mateus Fernandes, but would be given his marching orders just under 10 minutes later for a bad challenge on Conor Gallagher, leaving his side to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.
Chelsea's misery would be compounded by Tottenham getting a second through Mathys Tel three minutes out from 90, to make sure of only their second win at Stamford Bridge from 37 visits.
But things could have gotten even worse for Chelsea earlier, with De Zerbi believing that Palmer should have been given a straight red for his tussle with Fernandes, with many also believing that Morgan Rogers should have been sent off for his challenge on ex Chelsea man Conor Gallagher in injury time.
Gary Neville was one of many who thought Chelsea's number 17 should have seen red, calling it a "ludicrous and late tackle" after tripping up Gallagher. "He's absolutely wellied into him with no intent", Neville said, and he also criticised Palmer's temperament after he got his first yellow, saying, "Palmer has lost his head."
If Palmer had received a straight red card, that would have led to him getting an automatic three-game suspension, but Kavanagh spared his blushes, instead giving him a second yellow shortly after, meaning he would only be missing one game.
Although he will be missing Chelsea's Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Liverpool at Anfield on October 28, he will be back in action just three days after against Manchester United, and although Palmer will be a big miss to Chelsea, it could have easily been so much worse in terms of his suspension.
