It almost descended into a full-on brawl.
Troy Deeney was in fiery form when Watford were beaten by Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
A first-half Darren Fletcher stunner was enough to separate the sides and deliver Stoke’s first win of the month.
And the frustration of trailing to a typically well-drilled Potters side clearly got the better of Watford captain Troy Deeney towards the end of the game.
Replays show Deeney put both his hands round Allen's face and neck. Both get a booking (0-1) #SCFC
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) October 28, 2017
Deep into injury time, there was a coming together between Deeney and Stoke midfielder Joe Allen which resulted in the Hornets forward putting his hands into Allen’s face.
Deeney didn’t hold back as he dug his thumbs into Allen’s skin while teammates of both men descended on the clash to break it up.
Premier League rules dictate that we cannot show you footage of the altercation but the below picture essentially sums it up.
It was pretty heated but, remarkably, Deeney escaped with just a booking from referee Michael Oliver and, even more remarkably, Allen received an identical punishment.
“It was unfortunate and unnecessary because we kicked the ball out when Pieters was down,” Stoke manager Mark Hughes said of the incident. “The spirit of the game is to throw it back, but Deeney, the captain, should know better and tried to put the ball in the box and that’s when Joe reacts.
“I’ve seen pictures of raised hands and thumbnails in faces and that’s not really necessary.
“I’m not sure [if it will be a ban]. More often than not those situations get re-visited by people in authorities and decisions made as a consequence and maybe we should let that take its course.”
And fans were absolutely stunned to see Deeney avoid a red card for the offence.
How on earth did Deeney only get a yellow there ? Guessing if ref didnt see it he will have a nice 3 game suspension on the way #WatSto
— Barry Evans (@Bluetooner1) October 28, 2017
Deeney tried to rip off Joe Allen's(?) face and gets a yellow. LOL @fa
— I Hate Bugs And Crazy (@succa99) October 28, 2017
Troy Deeney just attacked Joe Allen, grabbed him around the throat. Only got a yellow, should’ve been a red, hope the FA give him a ban!
— sam (@TwmbarlwmSam) October 28, 2017
Yellow for Deeney? You having a laugh ref? Red all day long.
— Jo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@KrugashLFC) October 28, 2017
How the hell does Deeney only get a yellow!?!?!?!?! He's a fucking disgrace and needs at a minimum a 3 game ban. Grabbed Stoke players face
— Jordan Molnar 🖤💛 (@JMolnar13) October 28, 2017
How is that only a yellow for Deeney lmfao…
— Adi (@11Kanna) October 28, 2017
