Why was Cole Palmer sent off for Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur in Premier League 2026-27?
The forward received his first career red card. Cole Palmer was sent off minutes after surviving a red card for clattering Mateus Fernandes.
Rain in West London did no favours to 21-year-old Mike Penders, who saw the ball go into his OWN net to give Tottenham the lead. Cole Palmer tried to move down the right wing as he urgently pushed for a lead against Spurs, who have now climbed to the 12th spot.
Palmer sent off in 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Fernandes then went to ground among the commotion and handled the ball. The England international was irate, kicking up a scramble involving players from both teams, which saw Palmer getting a red card.
Five minutes later, Palmer was in with a late, high tackle, hitting former Chelsea teammate Conor Gallagher on the ankle/shin with his studs as Gallagher brought down a Spurs free-kick. Referee Chris Kavanagh handed a second yellow card, which turned into a red card, and left Chelsea with 10.
This is a further blow for Chelsea, who were already sweating over Joao Pedro after he missed the derby with an injury that is still being examined and will be without goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for many weeks after surgery on a fractured jaw. Gary Neville says Chelsea player Cole Palmer "lost his head" after getting sent off in the London derby against Tottenham.
At the time of the Fernandes shove, Neville stated Palmer was "lucky" not to be shown a straight red card. Garry Neville comments on Cole Palmer red card Just a few minutes later, Mike Penders gave Tottenham the lead with an own goal and a disgruntled Palmer lashed out at Tonali.
"Cole Palmer's lost his head in these last few minutes," Neville said as Palmer pleaded innocence. "He was lucky to avoid a red card earlier, and that one is a no-brainer.
To do that five minutes after the challenge on Fernandes is just silly. He sticks his studs in, he knows exactly what he is doing.
Why was Cole Palmer shown a red card? He got into an altercation with Spurs players."