The Premier League has clarified that Southampton captain Jack Stephens was shown a red card for “violent behavior” after he was caught on camera pulling Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella by the hair. The incident occurred as Chelsea defended a corner in Wednesday’s clash and although the referee did not initially react, VAR intervention led to an on-pitch review and the subsequent sending off of Stephens.

A Premier League statement confirmed: “38. Minute VAR CASE The VAR recommended an on-pitch check for possible violent behavior by Jack Stephens. The referee then gave a red card.”

At the time of the sending off, Southampton were 3-1 down, with Chelsea taking the lead through goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, although Joe Aribo equalized for the Saints. The exclusion of Stephens compounded the difficulties of manager Russell Martin, who was already struggling with a depleted squad due to suspensions and injuries.

Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes served bans for accumulating five yellow cards, while Lesley Ugochukwu was ineligible to play against his parent club. Injuries had also kept Gavin Bazunu, Aaron Ramsdale, Will Smallbone, Jan Bednarek, Adam Lallana, Paul Onuachu and Ross Stewart out of action.

Chelsea star Cucurella is once again in the middle of a hair-raising controversy following a previous incident involving Spurs defender Cristian Romero, who escaped a red card for a similar offense in August 2022.

Commenting on the uproar, the Chelsea star expressed his frustration: “For me it’s too clear in the game, on the pitch. I didn’t see it on TV, in the video. I think it’s very clear, but this is a mistake by the referee or VAR.

He continued to reflect on refereeing decisions: “Sometimes the referees make good decisions, sometimes they don’t. That’s not my problem. Maybe we have to work harder not to concede this goal in the last minute.”

The Spaniard spoke about the VAR review: “I saw (VAR) looking for a red card in the stadium. For me it is clear. At this moment I don’t know what happened.”

“I have no problem with him,” acknowledging the importance of such moments: “It’s just an action in the game, but maybe it was important because it changed the final result.”

Despite the setback, Cucurella remained optimistic: “It’s not a problem for me. I spoke to him (Romero) before the game. I have no problem. There is only one action in the game. Maybe an important move because it changes the final result. “We have another chance (to beat Spurs).”