Mason Holgate sent off for 'reckless leg-breaking' tackle before Brighton upset against Sheffield United

Mason Holgate may have received one of the most blatant red cards in Premier League history.

The defender participated in only his third game for Sheffield United when a knee-high challenge Kaoru Mitoma left the public stunned.

Holgate, who had just signed from Southampton During the January window, he flew to the Japan international and stabbed his studs into his knee in horrific scenes.

Referee Stuart Attwell initially showed a yellow card but didn't need long to correct himself once he looked at the VAR screen.

Reacting to the incident, talkSPORT pundit and Arsenal legend Perry Groves said: “100 per cent red card. Mason Holgatewhat are you doing?

“This is the best thing about VAR. What is he doing? He finds Mitoma running down the wing and he is reckless, but not out of control.

“He knows what he is doing, first he takes a bit of the ball and crosses with his right foot.

“Mitoma does it well, she knows that the challenge is coming and that she can face it, if her foot is planted it is a broken leg.”

Several fans echoed his thoughts, with one X user writing: “That's one of the worst challenges I've ever seen on Mason Holgate. Deserves a big ban. Outrageous.”

Another added: “Mason Holgate should be suspended for 10 games. Minimum. That's criminal.”

The incident occurred in the 13th minute with the match scoreless, but Brighton quickly took a 2-0 lead.

The Seagulls took the lead seven minutes later when Buonanotte turned in from close range after Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was bullied on the goal line.

Gus Hamer almost tied the hosts when his run in which he beat three players ended with a deflected shot.

But that was as good as it got for the Blades as Brighton took control with a second goal.

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Mitoma forced Foderingham into a good save at the far post, but Welbeck was on hand to score the rebound from eight yards.

It could have been three, but Robinson blocked shots from Mitoma and Pascal Gross in quick succession.

United thought they were back in the game on the stroke of half-time when Ben Osborn fired home from close range.

Atwell immediately ruled him out for a foul, but Blade's hopes were raised when VAR advised Atwell to go to the monitor.

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However, during replays it was ruled that Osborn was actually on an offside call and the goal did not stand.

The Blades looked lively in the second half but were unable to test Brighton, who eventually finished strongly with three goals in the final 15 minutes.

They had to wait until the 75th minute for the third, when Blades defender Robinson deflected a Mitoma cross into his own goal.

And three minutes later, Adingra swept in Gross's cross to make it four before adding a second with an effort that deflected off Andre Brooks.