Fans fume after Harry Kane avoids a card for blatantly 'leaving one' on Kepa Arrizabalaga

Harry Kane has angered fans after his challenge on Kepa Arrizabalaga did not result in him being carded.

In a typically feisty game between Spurs and Chelsea, the visiting goalkeeper toyed with players and fans by taking an age to pick the ball up with his hands.

It's a tactic regularly deployed by goalkeepers and one which the Spaniard had the right to execute.

But then Kane exacted revenge and made a mark on Kepa the next time he had the ball. The former Athletic Bilbao man prepared to boot the ball long but as he did, Kane came across him and clattered into Kepa, who fell to the floor.

The England captain knew exactly what he was doing and it was a clear free-kick awarded by Stuart Attwell.

Kane vs Kepa#TOTCHE pic.twitter.com/6x0inFRm2V

— Mel (@melvinjtk) February 26, 2023

However, Kane was extremely luck to escape without a yellow card and fans all agreed that he got off the hook because of his reputation.

One commented: "Harry Kane not booked for blatantly ‘leaving something’ on Kepa whilst closing him down, Eddie Nketiah was booked for sliding in to intercept Jordan Pickford’s kick and making no contact. In case you were in doubt that players are officiated differently, and referees carry bias."

A second said: "Prince Kane gets away with challenges like this each and every week. Has all the time in the world to divert his run away from Kepa. Should be booked but Kepa got spoken too."

Another shared the same stance, writing: "Kane with a late elbow on Kepa, of course he doesn’t get booked."

A fourth tweeted: "Kane's tackle on Kepa is a yellow card every day. What is this ref doing?"

A fifth weighed in: "Kane can leave a cheap shot on Kepa and there’s nothing wrong with it."

Further controversy occurred at the very end of the first half when Hakim Ziyech was shown a red card for Emerson Royal - only the decision to be immediately overturned when Stuart Attwell watched the incident on the VAR monitor.