I, too, have been watching football for 40+ years.
I agree, both this season were technically reds. I also don't think Stephens should have been sent off against 'boro because the gash was caused by Ramirez kicking and his shin striking the bottom of Stephen's boot. If a player throws his head at someone's elbow, it is their own fault, so to speak.
The dirty tackles of the 70s and 80s needed to be eradicated, and have.
However, penalties are now awarded if there's a clean tackle, where the ball is won, but the player is taken off his feet.
My general point is that the sanitising of the game has made for many more cards, players being banned for long periods, for quite frankly what reason?
Stephens and Mounie will each miss 3 games - completely out of proportion to what they've done.
So if a player dangerously and recklessly flies in and in one case takes out the knee of the opponent it's a red card but if with the exact same tackle but this time the opponent just jumps out of the way just in time it's not! In both cases, the action of the player making the tackle is exactly the same. Bit like saying you don't charge someone with drink driving unless they actually hit something!! It's nonsensical.