I don't think he used excessive force. I think looking at it you can argue that he did attempt to play the ball, just that Hazard moved the ball quicker away.
However I can understand why Dowd sent him off. From his angle it looks cynical and very late. I think Vidic was genuinely going for the ball, albeit a very desperate attempt.
I think it was more a yellow but a red wasn't totally unjustified as it wasn't the best of challenges. Rafael's was a shocker and could have seriously hurt Cahill, he should have gone as well.
I feel that both Vidic and rafael should've both been dismissed.
Vidic's challenge was no-where near the ball and endangered his opponent by tacking scissor like from behind.
Rafael was a clear 2 footed lunge off the floor and out of control putting cahill at serious risk. IMO pure luck has prevented a serious injury to him. I know that AR's are not supposed to make any decision in that part of the pitch but surely he had a clear view on the incident and could help Dowd make the correct decision. How he got a yellow is beyond me, he should also have been dismissed.
i've only seen the rafa challenge on motd2 but, from what i remember, it looked as if the ref wasn't even going to caution him at first...so perhaps the asst did have a word in his ear
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