Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has deemed Tomer Hemed's stamp on DeAndre Yedlin unintentional as the Gulls beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Israeli international finished smartly from Dale Stephens's tee-up in the 51st minute to seal all three points for Brighton against their fellow Premier League new boys.
However, Hemed could have potentially been sent off if the referee had spotted an apparent stamp on Newcastle full-back Yedlin with time running out at the Amex Stadium.
Hughton was shown the incident in his post-match interview but believed that there was no intent on Hemed's behalf.
"My first impression is that there was no intent," Hughton told Sky Sports News. "There's no doubting the contact but knowing the individual there would also be no intent."
Hemed has played a part in 20 goals in his last 23 league starts for Brighton in the Championship and Premier League, but could now risk a retrospective three-game ban.
Giuseppe Labellarte
