With all the matches kicking off at 3pm on Saturday, the scene was set for a chaotic day keeping track of disciplinary matters. However, with just a couple offences resulting in suspension, it was a relatively quiet affair.
The first indiscretion arrived via a crimson flash amongst all the Norfolk goals, as Newcastle’s Dan Gosling was penalised with a straight red for an over the top challenge on Norwich’s Russell Martin during the 4-2 loss at Carrow Road. With Chiek Tiote and Danny Guthrie on the treatment table, the three-match ban for Gosling means Alan Pardew will be running out of partners for his French maestro, Yohan Cabaye, and the lack of shielding options for the now makeshift defence could augur further doom for the Toon Army despite their encouraging fixtures (SWA, WBA, bol). It’s also worth noting that Cabaye himself, is just a single yellow away from a ban.
The other man to get a mention in these dispatches is Aston Villa reborn striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor. With his new lease of life on the pitch has also come a newfound fondness for yellow cards. His career stats list just four picked up in 31 domestic appearances last year, and an overall rate of one every ten games since his 2005 debut. However, his fifth this season has come in just 15 league games and will therefore see him fall off the Suspension Tightrope and into a 1 match ban for the visit of Liverpool next Sunday.
Gamweek 16 Bans
- Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) – 5 Yellows (1 match)
- David Wheater (Bolton) – 1 Red for serious foul play (Third of 4 matches)
- Jay Spearing (Liverpool) – 1 Red for serious foul play (Second of 3 matches)
- Dan Gosling (Newcastle) – 1 Red for serious foul play (First of 3 matches)
Suspension Tightrope – Four Bookings
- Alex Song (Arsenal)
- Stiliyan Petrov (Aston Villa)
- Paul Robinson (Bolton)
- Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
- Moussa Dembélé (Fulham)
- Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
- Steve Sidwell (Fulham)
- Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle)
- Ryan Shawcross (Stoke)
- Glenn Whelan (Stoke)
