Roy Keane claims Vladimir Coufal was a ‘lucky boy’ not to get sent off against Wolves… as Daniel Sturridge likens challenge to WWE move and admits he ‘doesn’t know if this should be happening on a football pitch’

• Coufal appeared to elbow his opponent with the tackle cleared after VAR review
• The defender wasn’t shown a yellow card, suggesting the referee missed event
• Manchester United fans must be DREADING Anfield trip – It’s All Kicking Off

Roy Keane has claimed that Vladimir Coufal was lucky not to be sent off for West Ham against Wolves.

Coufal faced a VAR check for a tackle on Jean-Ricner Bellegarde in the first half of the Hammers’ game on Sunday, which saw them put in solid performance as they bounced back from the 5-0 defeat to Fulham.

He was cleared, but replays showed an elbow from the Czech connected with the jaw of the Wolves midfielder.

There was no official word on why the review was cleared, but Coufal was no even booked for the incident, suggesting referee Chris Kavanagh missed the elbow when assessing the tackle on-field.

Former Manchester United midfielder Keane said on Sky Sports that the full-back was fortunate to get away with the tackle and questioned the intention behind the tackle.

Roy Keane has claimed that Vladimir Coufal was a ‘lucky boy’ to not be sent off against Wolves

Coufal and Bellegarde battled all game with West Ham often standing solid at the back

Keane (left) admitted that he has seen players sent off for similar challenges, while Daniel Sturridge (right) likened the challenge to a WWE move

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‘Lucky boy. We have seen players get red for that,’ he said. ‘Has something gone on before?’

Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, slammed the tackle and claimed that Coufal is playing the wrong sport.

‘I don’t know if this should be happening on a football pitch,’ the former Liverpool man said. ‘This is WWE stuff, rugby stuff. Come om man, it’s an elbow to the jaw.’

Sturridge then jokingly asked if Keane had ever performed a tackle similar, with the Irishman joking: ‘Not me. I’ve never done that, you’re getting me mixed up with Robbie Keane.’

Coufal was booked for another heavy foul on Bellegarde in the second half, with Alan Smith saying on commentary that he was ‘running it fine’ in his play. 

It’s not the first time Wolves have been on the back of controversial decisions this season, with the club receiving a number of apologies from the PGMOL for a number of incorrect calls.

Mohammed Kudus was on target twice for West Ham in the first half as his side took control

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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Keane and Sturridge, meanwhile, will do battle in the studio on Sunday when Liverpool host Manchester United in the Premier League.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are also covering the game as pundits and commentators, with Neville warning that United will ‘get killed’ if they try and play their usual game.

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