As if Tony Pulis did not have enough evidence to fill his βhow to referee the tackleβ DVD with, his Stoke team today were victims of another questionable sanction, with a red card shown to Rory Delap in the 2-0 FA Cup win at Crawley.
Delapβs studs up tackle on midfielder David Hunt was deemed reckless and dangerous by referee Mike Jones (but seemingly only after Mancini-esq card waving influence from the sidelines) and, in light of the recent failed appeal by Robert Huth for a similar dismissal, the Stoke manager is certain to feel aggrieved. With Huth due to serve the last match of his ban in Gameweek 26, Delap will now join him in the Britannia stands for the Swansea fixture and then sit out a further two games (NOR, che), returning in time for the sixth round FA cup tie at Anfield.
In other suspension tightrope news, we saw Lee Cattermole rise onto the highwire as Sunderlandβs robust tackling captain lasted a full 79-minutes of the win over Arsenal before adding to his yellow card count for a foul on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He now sits on nine cautions, knowing that a further indiscretion will result in a two-match ban. Fantasy managers may dismiss this situation but, having seen Cattermole shield his back four so effectively against the Gunners, there will be concerns that an absence for the Black Catsβ skipper would dent chances of clean sheets for the defence.
Cattermoleβs Sunderland teammate, Seb Larsson (who despite his Press Association record still showing 8 yellows only actually has 7) also climbs up the tightrope rankings. He is joined by Chelseaβs David Luiz and Boltonβs Nigel Reo-Coker who also have seven yellow marks against their name following FA Cup bookings this weekend.
GAMEWEEK 26 BANS
- GaΓ«l Givet (BLA) β 1 Red for serious foul play (second of 3 matches)
- Jason Lowe (BLA) β 10 Yellows (first of 2 matches)
- Djibril CissΓ© (QPR) β 1 Red for serious foul play (second of 3 matches)
- Rory Delap (STO) β 1 Red for serious foul play (first of 3 matches)
- Robert Huth (STO) β 1 Red for serious foul play (last of 3 matches)

