Premier League red card rules: How many players do you need to play?

Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea was one of the most contentious games of the season so far.

The Blues eventually ran out 4-1 winners but struggled to break down a Spurs side playing with nine men for much of the second half. The hosts

Spurs fans were furious after Cristian Romero was dismissed in the first half for a clumsy challenge on Enzo Fernandez. But things got worst for the hosts after the break when Destiny Udogie was given a second booking for scything down Raheem Sterling.

That saw Tottenham reduced to nine men, which left some wondering about the prospect of a suspension of the game. However league rules stipulate that this would only be an issue is Spurs were to lose another three players, whether through dismissal or injury.

The Football Association’s rules state: “A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.”

Midway through the second half Spurs used their last substitution, meaning that they risked gong down to eight if they suffered an injury. But while they battled defiantly, Chelsea’s numerical advantage eventually proved to much for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Nicolas Jackson bags Chelsea hat trick

Aside from the doble dismissal for Spurs there were also five disallowed goals and a hat trick for a player who has struggled to find the back of the net this season. Nicolas Jackson took advantage of some adventurous Spurs defending to score three times at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

In the first half alone there were four goals ruled out for offside and no end of controversial decisions. Spurs took the lead through Son Heung-Min, before Cole Palmer equalised from the penalty spot.

In the second half there was more drama as Spur looked to cling on to a draw, despite their two-man disadvantage. After struggling to break down a resilient Spurs defence Chelsea finally the back of the net when Sterling and Jackson combined. Tottenham substitute Eric Dier thought he had found a leveller when he slotted home a brilliant volley, but it was ruled out for a narrow offside call.

With Spurs still pushing forward Chelsea found more space late on and Jackson scored two more to complete an unlikely hat trick.