Lesley Ugochukwu: Super Eagles Eligible Midfielder Sent Off Against Liverpool in EPL Thriller
- Nigeria-eligible player Lesley Ugochukwu was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in Burnley’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool
- Former referee Keith Hackett says Ugochukwu’s first challenge on Alexis Mac Allister should have been a straight red
- Mohamed Salah scored a 95th-minute penalty to keep Liverpool top of the Premier League
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Burnley came within minutes of stealing a point against league leaders Liverpool but were undone by Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time penalty in a tense Premier League clash at Turf Moor.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s evening turned sour after a series of challenges saw him sent off late in the game.
Source: Getty Images
The 21-year-old midfielder, who is eligible to play for Nigeria, had already been at the centre of controversy for an earlier tackle that many felt deserved a straight red card.
Ugochukwu’s early challenge sparks debate
The game’s talking point came as early as the 16th minute when Ugochukwu slid into Alexis Mac Allister with a strong challenge that left the Liverpool midfielder clutching his ankle.
Referee Michael Oliver reached for a yellow card, but former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett disagreed with the decision.
Hackett told Football Insider that the tackle endangered the opponent and fulfilled the law for serious foul play, insisting that a straight red card should have been shown.
Mac Allister did not return for the second half due to the effects of the hard tackle, with Conor Bradley taking his place.
Second yellow seals Ugochukwu’s fate
Despite avoiding an early red card, Ugochukwu could not finish the game as he was finally sent off by Michael Oliver.
Source: Getty Images
A late challenge on German midfielder Florian Wirtz earned the Nigeria-eligible star a second yellow card, leaving Burnley to play the final minutes with 10 men.
It was a frustrating moment for the Clarets, who had worked hard to frustrate Liverpool and were beginning to find spaces on the counter.
Ugochukwu’s dismissal left Burnley hanging on, but their resistance finally broke deep into stoppage time.
Salah’s late penalty keeps Liverpool on top
Liverpool’s pressure paid off in the 95th minute when a late handball gave them a penalty.
Mohamed Salah kept his composure from the spot, sending the keeper the wrong way to give Liverpool a 1-0 win and keep them at the top of the table, per BBC.
For Ugochukwu, the match will be remembered as one to forget after his early tackle sparked debate about refereeing consistency, while his dismissal means he will miss Burnley’s next fixture against Nottingham Forest.
With Burnley still searching for points, Tony Parker will be hoping for a calmer display from his midfield when they return to action next in the Premier League.
Ugochukwu dumps Chelsea for Burnley
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Burnley had completed the signing of Nigeria-eligible star Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea in a deal worth over £20 million, the club confirmed on August 7, 2025.
The 21-year-old, who has inked a five-year contract at Turf Moor, joins the Clarets as they aim to bolster their squad for the season ahead. The transfer fee is comparable to the £23.2 million Chelsea paid to sign the central midfielder from Rennes in 2023.
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Source: Legit.ng
