10 Worst Red Cards in Premier League History

Chelsea See Another Player Dismissed

This weekend in the Premier League saw two red cards given out in matches, and to no surprise, Chelsea was one of the clubs that saw a player sent off. Pedro Neto saw red after committing a dangerous sliding tackle whilst on a yellow card against Arsenal on Sunday. This occasion was Chelsea’s seventh dismissal of the season, three more than any other club in the Premier League.

🚨 Liam Rosenior on red cards: “I don't speak about what happened before my time at Chelsea but it’s starting to happen with me”.

“That's something I felt we had addressed, we went 10 games without a red card, now two in two games and that's a problem we need to solve…”. pic.twitter.com/6EsrFKzzKB

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 1, 2026

However, over the years there have been a lot worse tackles that have resulted in red cards than the two at the weekend. But which red card tackle in Premier League history has been the worst?

10 Worst Red Cards in Premier League History

10. Peter Crouch vs Chelsea (2007)

Peter Crouch was never seen as a very aggressive player during his playing days; however, his challenge on John Obi Mikel argues differently. It is one of the sillier red cards in Premier League history also, as Obi Mikel was struggling to keep the ball in play near the touchline and Crouch came from behind with a two-footed lunge, catching him. Truly Wreckless!

9. Lucas Neill vs Blackburn (2003)

Lucas Neill only lasted 17 minutes in the match at Ewood Park before he made a wild lunge on Jamie Carragher, catching the Liverpool defender high on his leg. Consequently, Carragher broke his leg from the challenge and Neill was very fairly dismissed and given a three-match ban for the tackle.

8. Dan James vs Chelsea (2022)

In a big match in their fight for survival at the end of the season, Dan James didn’t help Leeds out at all after being dismissed early on in the match. He made a horrific tackle on Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, catching him on the ankle and just below the knee with two feet. It was amazing that Kovacic came out of the challenge unharmed.

7. Karl Henry vs Wigan

A few weeks before this incident, Karl Henry left Bobby Zamora with a broken leg after a relatively fair tackle. However, this wasn’t the case when it came to the tackle with Jordi Gómez. Henry was beaten to the ball by Gomez but he still went into the challenge which sent Gomez flying and he was fortunate to be able to get up and play on.

6. Michael Brown vs Portsmouth (2006)

Michael Brown's tackle on Sean Davis is another stupid decision on this list. The ball was there to be won by both players but for some reason, Brown decided to take the risk and jump into the challenge with two feet. He missed the ball completely and connected with the right leg of Davis, which he was lucky not to break, and to no surprise, Brown left the field.

5. Kevin Nolan vs Everton (2009)

Probably one of the worst times for a player to receive a red card is a minute before the half-time whistle. However, for Kevin Nolan, this was when he decided to go into a challenge against Victor Anichebe with his studs up. He caught Anichebe on the leg, which consequently got Nolan dismissed and also damaged Anichebe’s knee cartilage, leaving him out of action for 11 months.

4. Mason Holgate vs Brighton (2024)

The most recent red card on this list goes to Mason Holgate against Brighton just two seasons ago. However, unlike many tackles on this list, Holgate’s challenge was clearly an accident. He attempted to clear the ball and instead missed it and caught Kaoru Mitoma on the knee, and after a VAR check, a red card was awarded.

3. Ryan Shawcross vs Arsenal (2010)

This tackle from Ryan Shawcross is one of the most famous dangerous tackles in Premier League history. Similarly to Holgate, Shawcross missed the ball when attempting a clearance and caught Aaron Ramsey on the leg. It caused Ramsey to break his tibia and fibula and be out of action for a long period of time.

2. Martin Taylor vs Arsenal (2008)

Martin Taylor’s challenge on Eduardo is without a doubt one of the worst tackles you are going to see. Eduardo had already released the ball when Taylor hit him late with the tackle, planting his foot on Eduardo’s leg. To no surprise, the Arsenal player had broken his leg, so severely that his sock had split, and his absence was costly to Arsenal’s title hopes that season.

1. Roy Keane vs Manchester City (2001)

This is a clear first place on this list as the worst red card that the Premier League has ever seen. Roy Keane was known for his aggressive nature on the pitch; however, this was the worst tackle he committed. He went flying into a tackle with Alf Inge Haaland, which pretty much ended the Norwegian’s career and got Keane a three-match ban and a £5000 fine, which could be argued as getting off lightly.

IN 1997, ERLING HAALAND'S FATHER, ALF INGE HALAND, WAS PLAYING FOR MANCHESTER CITY WHEN HE CAUSED ROY KEANE TO SUFFER A CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY, WHICH SIDELINED HIM FOR SIX MONTHS.

After the injury, Håland stood over Keane and said, "Stop pretending to be injured."

In 2001,… pic.twitter.com/YRE4N1SszK

— D'Hood Bros (@AfcHood) March 18, 2025