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Fulham forward Raul Jimenez was given a straight red card after he flew into a Newcastle United player.
The Mexican had been in excellent form coming into the Cottagers' away clash against Newcastle United, contributing four goals in his last five matches. However, his good run of performances were ended by a straight red card.
When a high ball was looped over to Sean Longstaff, Jimenez recklessly jumped into the air and hit the Englishman in the face with his backside. While he did stop himself from leading with his foot, he was still dismissed for his bizarre challenge.
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Longstaff was on the floor for a long time after he was smacked by the Newcastle graduate's backside. Jimenez looked rather guilty when he eventually got back to his feet.
After he was sent for an early shower, Premier League fans thought the challenge was rather amusing. "Raul Jimenez just tried to unalive a new castle player for no reason," one fan said.
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"Potentially the funniest tackle in Premier League history surely," a second added. One Fulham fan was not amused, saying: "I don’t want to see any of our fans justify this. It’s a ridiculous challenge."
A second also said: "This would be a red card in rugby as well. That level of force and endangerment to the player with contact in the head. Referee had no choice."
Jimenez has contributed four goals in 15 appearances for the West Londoners. Fulham headed into the contest at St James Park on one of their best periods of form over the course of the last 18 months.
They had won three of their last four matches, including back-to-back 5-0 victories over Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Jimenez will miss the next three Premier League matches against Burnley, Bournemouth and Arsenal.
- Premier League
- Fulham FC
- Footballblog
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