The Premier League has seen a host of different red cards brandished by referees over the years, some deserved and some less so. Equally, some red cards have been shown for the right reasons and also for the wrong reasons.
From red cards shown for kung-fu kicks, dangerous tackles and petulant fights between teammates, the Premier League has seen it all. Below, we take a look at the top 10 red cards in Premier League history. You can find the latest spread betting odds on English football with Sportingindex.com.
10. Raheem Sterling vs AFC Bournemouth 2017
A last-gasp winner is likely to incite pandemonium for both players and fans alike and that is exactly what happened when Sterling scored a 97th minute winner away at Bournemouth in 2017.
The England winger managed to fire Manchester City into a 2-1 lead at the death and celebrated by mixing in with the travelling supporters. Police and stewards would be forced to get involved in the mayhem which resulted in referee Mike Dean showing Sterling a red after picking up his second yellow.
9. Robin Van Persie vs Stoke City 2008
Stoke City and Arsenal managed to build up quite the rivalry over the years, particularly when Tony Pulis and Arsene Wenger clashed on the touchline.
That would often boil over onto the pitch and Van Persie would be shown a red for one of the stupidest challenges ever. Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen would slowly control the ball following a headed back pass, inviting the Arsenal forward to challenge the ball.
However, the Dutchman, who was clearly filled with frustration, went a little too far and clattered into the ‘keeper, pushing him to the floor. Referee Rob Styles would send him in for an early bath after only being on the pitch for 12 minutes.
8. Youssouf Mulumbu vs West Ham United 2013
Football can be a frustrating game. Especially when your opponents are able to rub you up the wrong way. Mulumbu would let his emotions get the better of him when he was dismissed for a silly episode away to West Ham in 2013.
The midfielder was fed up after a late challenge by Gary O’Neil and would retaliate by picking the ball up and volleying it at the West Ham man from point-blank range.
7. Steve Cook vs Norwich City 2020
Instincts can get the better of some players and that can be the only explanation as to why Cook decided to handle the ball in the penalty area away to Norwich at Carrow Road just three years ago.
Aaron Ramsdale raced off his line to make a good save to deny Teemu Pukki who had got in behind the Cherries’ defence. However, the ball fell to Ondrej Duda who was set to find the back of the net for the Canaries before the defender made an acrobatic save to deny him. It was a fine stop, to be fair.
6. Adrian vs Southampton 2015
Playing for West Ham at the time, Adrian would be sent off for a bizarre handball after a series of calamitous events. Sadio Mane did a good job at putting him under pressure but the Spaniard got a little too big for his boots when he tried to take the ball past the Senegalese forward.
The goalkeeper would fall to the floor after nearly losing the ball and in all the commotion, would end up handling the ball outside the area. A moment to forget.
5. Nick Pope vs Liverpool 2024
A recent Premier League memory to add to the list and one very similar to Adrian’s, Pope would receive a red card for handling the ball outside the area against Liverpool at St. James’ Park.
The incident was a clear moment of madness by one of the best goalkeepers this season but he had to go. Unfortunately, it also means that he will miss Newcastle’s EFL Cup final against Manchester United.
4. Martin Taylor vs Arsenal 2008
Eduardo da Silva suffered one of the most sickening injuries in the Premier League following a challenge by Birmingham City’s Taylor in 2008. The defender had completely mistimed his tackle on the Brazilian, resulting in a double leg-break, as well as a dislocated ankle.
Arsenal would go on to draw the match 2-2 after a late equaliser from James McFadden from the spot, with captain William Gallas sulking on the pitch for the Gunners at the end. It was a pivotal moment in the season and halted all of Arsenal’s momentum.
3. Roy Keane vs Manchester City 2001
Known as one of the hardest players that the Premier League has ever seen, Keane was bound to be involved in this list.
After Keane ruptured his ACL in 1997, Alf Inge Haaland stood over him, berating the Irishman for faking the injury. Keane would remember the moment and come back with a vengeance four years later.
Late on in the Manchester derby, Keane saw his moment and went studs up straight into the knee of Haaland, with the midfielder later confirming in his autobiography that it was intentional. David Elleray had no choice but to send him off for one of the worst challenges seen in the Premier League era.
2. Kieron Dyer & Lee Bowyer vs Aston Villa 2005
Dyer and Bowyer would clash whilst both playing for Newcastle United in the mid-2000s. The Magpies were already three nil down at home to Villa, as well as down to ten men.
Shortly after the third goal, Bowyer charged at teammate Dyer after supposedly being fed up with him not passing the ball. It would result in the pair fighting on the pitch, embarrassing the club even further. Both players would end up getting sent off in one of the most iconic moments the Premier League has ever seen.
1. Eric Cantona vs “the hooligan” 1995
There was only one winner for the best red card in Premier League history. Cantona was sent off just four minutes into the second half away at Crystal Palace in 1995 for his infamous kung-fu kick. Although, it wasn’t on an opposing player but a member of the crowd.
The Frenchman often refers to the fan as “the hooligan” and lashed out after he made some vulgar remarks to him down near the touchline. Of course, many footballers deal with hecklers and Cantona would have been no stranger to the abuse either but he wasn’t having any of it that day.
