Cheikhou Kouyate was lucky not to have been seriously injured after a horror high boot from Bournemouth's Simon Francis in West Ham's Premier League game at the Vitality Stadium
BOURNEMOUTH'S Simon Francis was lucky to avoid a red card in Bournemouth's tussle with West Ham at Vitality Stadium following a horror tackle on Cheikhou Kouyate.
With the game level at 1-1 in the 31st minute of the first half, Francis launched into a high-tackle that left Kouyate polaxed on the ground.
But referee Stuart Attwell deemed the tackle to be worthy of a yellow card, as Kouyate lay motionless on the pitch.
There was concern from both sets of teams on the pitch, with Francis checking on his opponent's condition.
But after a few minutes down, the Senegalese midfielder was given the okay to continue by West Ham's medical team.
And reaction from fans on Twitter suggested the tackle should've warranted a red card.
And reaction from fans on Twitter suggested the tackle was worthy of a red card from Attwell.
One fan even tweeted that the high-boot was worthy of a move from a pro wrestler in the WWE.
The tackle was reminiscent of Saido Mane's high foot at the Etihad Stadium when he caught Man City keeper Ederson in Liverpool's 5-0 defeat.
Mane was shown a red card then, while the Brazilian shot-stopper was hospitalised with serious facial injuries.
Francis can certainly count himself lucky that Kouyate wasn't more seriously hurt in the tackle.
