After pulling back Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo in front of the Brentford goal, it looked as if Nathan Collins was going to be sent off.But the Bees defender only received a yellow card at Gtech Community Stadium.Running on to a dangerous low cross in the 71st minute when Brentford were leading 2-1, Mbeumo was tugged back by Collins in the box.Referee Craig Pawson awarded Manchester United a penalty and showed Collins a yellow card – a decision which was checked and confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR).At first there was confusion, with some fans quick to question why Collins had not received a straight red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.Some asked if it was the ‘double jeopardy’ rule at play, which prevents a player from being punished with both a red card and a penalty kick for a foul that was a genuine attempt to play the ball.However, the Premier League Match Centre confirmed shortly after the incident that VAR had “deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball”.”Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball” is one of the factors listed by the Premier League to consider for an offence denying a goal or clear goalscoring opportunity.Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher and Brentford went on to win the match 3-1.”The referee told me Bryan was not in control of the ball, I think he was not in control because he was pulled,” United head coach Ruben Amorim said in his news conference after the defeat.”You [the media] can say what happened. I don’t want to talk about the referee.”Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole told TNT Sports: “I think he got away with one, Collins. As a centre-forward and a player of that quality all Bryan Mbeumo has to do is put his toe on it.””I feel for the referees, but looking at it again it is clearly a goalscoring opportunity.”Ex-Tottenham and Stoke City striker Peter Crouch agreed, adding: “I thought it was a red card – it is denying a goalscoring opportunity. Probably lucky to get away with that.”
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Nathan Collins: Why wasn’t Brentford defender sent off against Manchester United?
