All the reaction from Brighton’s thumping 5-0 win in the Premier League at Coventry

Former England striker Alan Shearer was baffled by the red card issued to Coventry striker Taiwo Awonyi.

The Nigerian attacker was dismissed on 55 minutes after he clattered into Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper.

Awonyi was adjudged to have elbowed the Brighton man in the face and received a straight red card from referee Tony Harrington.

The decision was also reviewed by Video Assistant Referee Peter Bankes and the on-field call was allowed to stand.

Brighton were 2-0 up at the time thanks to goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and Malick Yalcouye. Brighton then made their numerical advantage count as further goals from Pascal Gross, Lewis Dunk and Yasin Ayari sealed the win.

Shearer: I don’t understand red card call

However, Shearer was unconvinced by the red card decision for Awonyi.

The former Newcastle striker said: “I’ve watched it a few times and I’m still trying to understand what Awoniyi is supposed to have done differently.

“Two players are competing for the ball. He jumps, his arm comes up naturally and catches De Cuyper. There’s contact. Nobody is denying that.

“But contact with somebody’s face cannot automatically mean violent conduct."

The Premier League Matchday Centre stated that Awoniyi caught De Cuyper in the face with his elbow and the onfield decision of violent conduct was confirmed by Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes.

Harshest possible punishment

“There’s a movement. Confirming the on-field decision of red card for violent conduct," they posted.

Shearer added: "What makes this one stranger is the referee didn’t immediately reach for a red card. So you think, okay, they’ll have another look at it.

“They have the benefit of different angles, slow motion, people watching it upstairs, plenty of time to decide whether Awoniyi has deliberately elbowed somebody.

“And after all that, somehow they come back with the most severe possible decision.”

“That’s the bit I don’t understand,” added Shearer. “If Awoniyi looks at him and throws an elbow, send him off. Nobody complains.

“But if we’re sending strikers off every time their arm catches somebody while they’re challenging for a ball, somebody needs to tell them what they’re supposed to do with their arms.”