Referees' chief Howard Webb admits error was made in Mateo Kovacic decision in Man City vs Arsenal

Howard Webb - the head of the PGMOL, the governing body for referees - says Mateo Kovacic was fortunate not to have been sent off against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Croat was shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver for a hefty tackle on Martin Odegaard in the first-half. The incident was checked by VAR, and it was decided a caution was sufficient punishment rather than a red card.

Kovacic soon afterwards made a second challenge on Declan Rice and was not shown a second yellow, much to the dismay of the hosts. Webb says the City midfielder should have been given his marching orders after the second challenge.

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Speaking about the first tackle on Odegaard, he told Premier League Productions: "This is clearly a poor tackle and I'm pretty confident if a red card had been given by Michael Oliver on the day it would have been a very straight forward 'check complete'. But he doesn't, he issues a yellow card."

Regarding the second challenge he said: "I do [think Kovacic is fortunate]. Obviously VAR can't get involved for second yellow cards. I think he was an extremely fortunate player to stay on the field of play.

"Of course, the referee - one of our best in the world - will review that. He doesn't want to have a negative impact on the game by over-reacting to something. Sometimes players will be on a yellow card and will be pressured to show a second one.

"But also it's true that if you under-react you can have a negative impact on the game. When he [Oliver] reflects on it, he will realise the second one should have been a yellow card as well which would have seen Kovacic sent