Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has offered his verdict on Taiwo Awoniyi’s controversial sending off during Coventry City’s heavy Premier League defeat to Brighton on Saturday, Footynaija.com reports.
Awoniyi was shown a straight red card in the 53rd minute after catching Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper with a high elbow during an aerial challenge at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Super Eagles striker had already endured a difficult afternoon before his dismissal, with Coventry trailing 2-0 after goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and Malick Yalcouye.
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Brighton went on to take full advantage of their numerical superiority, adding three more goals through Pascal Groß, Lewis Dunk and Yasin Ayari to complete a 5-0 victory.
However, Keane felt the decision to send Awoniyi off was harsh, although he acknowledged that the Nigerian had given referee Michael Oliver an opportunity to take action.
“I think it’s tough,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“Obviously, he’s raised his elbow and is waiting for him to come on, but is it a swinging elbow? I think it’s harsh.
“He probably gave the referee the chance to send him off, but once that decision’s made it’s proper game over.”
The dismissal marked the first red card of Awoniyi’s Premier League career while the defeat compounded a miserable start to life back in the top flight for Frank Lampard’s side, who have now lost all four of their opening league games without scoring a single goal.
Coventry will now have to quickly regroup without the Nigeria international as they look to finally kick-start their Premier League campaign. The Sky Blues have a date with Nottingham Forest next weekend but their immediate focus will be on Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash vs Aston Villa.
