James Trafford: Why did Man City goalkeeper avoid red card for challenge on Mohammed Kudus?

Goalkeeper James Trafford had a first half to forget on his Manchester City home debut against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.

Thomas Frank’s side took a two-goal lead into half-time after goals from winger Brennan Johnson and midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Trafford, 22, was culpable for Spurs’ second after he gave the ball away in his own box, with Pape Matar Sarr pinching possession from the pass out before Palhinha fired home.

But many felt the England U21 goalkeeper was lucky to still be on the pitch at that point.

Moments after Spurs took a 1-0 lead, Trafford sprinted out of his box as winger Mohammed Kudus raced in on goal.

After Kudus controlled with his chest, Trafford appeared to handle the ball outside his 18-yard box and caught the Ghana international high on the chest with his knee.

Kudus laid injured on the pitch as City regained possession but a free-kick was not awarded to Spurs and Trafford went unpunished.

While the challenge on Kudus was debateable, it was the use of Trafford’s arm outside the box that had many people questioning whether the goalkeeper should have been sent off.