One of the more subtly interesting moments in yesterday's Aston Villa-Tottenham Hotspur match came when Villa right back Eric Lichaj was beaten for pace by Gareth Bale, the Spurs winger poking a ball past the defender only to be hauled down. Referee Martin Atkinson declined to give Lichaj an early card for when seemed an intentional, card-worthy offense, implicitly setting a tone that allowed Lichaj to physically control Bale throughout the match.
Arsenal Vs. Chelsea: Theo Walcott Draws 28th Minute Yellow Card On Ashley Cole
Fast forward to Monday, where Ashley Cole has just been given a yellow card. The offense came in the 26th minute when Cole was adjudicated to have charged into right wing Theo Walcott, the Gunner have poked the ball beyond his defender while the men were head-to-head along the sideline. Arsenal was given the foul while Cole as given a harsh yellow, Mark Clattenburg electing to caution Cole for the physical play on his England teammates.
Now Cole has to carry that card for the remaining half hour against one of the fastest players in the world, something that stands a good chance of affecting the rest of the match. Cole will have to exercise caution with Walcott, perhaps giving him too much room lest he put himself in position to pick up a second yellow card.
Now in the 35th minutes of a scoreless first half, Robin van Persie has just picked up a card for a dangerous tackle on Michael Essien. He will also have to play more cautiously through the rest of the match, something easier for a man with no defensive responsibilities. Cole only has to contain Theo Walcott.
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