Tyrone youngster Conor Bradley is quickly making a name for himself in the Premier League. He started against Chelsea in the League Cup Final this afternoon, and won his first medal as a Liverpool player. He was also involved one of the big incidents in the first half of Liverpool's victory.
His antics- or lack thereof - earned him a yellow card that has left fans absolutely baffled. Mike Dean's comical take added to the frustration.
Bradley who earned himself a goal, two assists, and the Man of the Match award last time he played Chelsea in January was less fortunate today when he found himself in an altercation with Chelsea captain Ben Chilwell.
Footage from the game clearly shows 20-year-old Bradley being grabbed and then pushed in the chest by the 27-year-old Chelsea captain before a small scuffle ensued. Despite a mature Bradley showing restraint and not reacting to the push, referee Chris Kavanagh quickly punished both Bradley and Chilwell with a yellow card each.
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Love this from Cody Gakpo, straight into them for trying to get Conor Bradley sent off. pic.twitter.com/HQCbflK9Rr
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) February 25, 2024
The decision has left football fans on social media dumbfounded as they try to figure out how Bradley was booked for being pushed himself.
My passion, away from the fairways, is football and I think the refs are excellent. But what is Conor Bradley’s yellow card for? Hands down, not wanting to get involved in Ben Chilwell’s 7 years senior childish tantrum, why penalised? But I guess all have different opinions.
— Ewen Murray (@ewenmurray77) February 25, 2024
I’d Genuinely Love An Explanation Of Exactly What Conor Bradley Did Here That Deserves A Booking ?, Even Gary Neville Said On Comms Chilwell Was Trying To Get Him Sent Off, And He Still Didn’t React, But Caicedo, Not Even A Yellow For A Getting A Man Stretchered Off 😂 pic.twitter.com/TQKDYRb7BH
— Fid (@UpNorthFiddy) February 25, 2024
After the match was decided, Bradley took to instagram and had his reaction to the Chilwell incident front and centre.
Mike Dean's take on Conor Bradley incident leaves fans enraged
While the Conor Bradley yellow card left fans shocked, Mike Dean's comical take on the incident just left them annoyed.
While Mike Dean has always been somewhat outspoken and his most recent takes on Sky Sports seem to be annoying fans at the best of times, his take on the Bradley incident has fans on social media slamming him for constantly defending referees.
Offering his 'expertise' on what happened, Mike Dean explained that the Castlederg man was booked 'because other players rushed in'. Dean's explanation which suggests Bradley was booked not for his own role in the incident but for the actions of his teammates and other Chelsea players has left fans wondering what the purpose of the rule book is even for.
Today's anger with Dean was exemplified by his reactions to a bad tackle on Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch by Moises Caicedo followed by a sudden change of tone on some of the referee's decisions. While Dean might be wishing it was a once-off, fans appear to be growing tired of his work on Sky Sports as the season rumbles on.
Just a reminder that this was not a yellow card or red card. Gravenberch was taken out in a stretcher.
Caicedo is out there still tackling people like there’s no repercussions. pic.twitter.com/tEhjHhtBbn
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) February 25, 2024
Conor Bradley booked for being pushed in the chest and not reacting. Mike Dean, on commentary, justifying the decision as "because other players rushed in", which makes no sense. One of those officiating 'traditions' - like entirely inconsistent injury times - of ignoring laws.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) February 25, 2024
I will stop beating this drum one day - but Sky (Neville and Carra included) lose credibility every single time Mike Dean opens his mouth, and it’s crazy he’s a part of the overall product. It’s a total embarrassment.
— Rudi Kinsella (@RudiKinsella) February 25, 2024
Mike Dean claiming that a very minor shoving match was the most serious incident in a game that’s already seen Caicedo’s tackle on Gravenberch, is some statement.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) February 25, 2024
Idea that Chilwell/Bradley is an automatic yellow for each and a tackle that sees a player go off injured isn’t is insane
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) February 25, 2024
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