Keith Hackett: Abdoulaye Doucoure deserved red card in Everton 2-2 draw with Leeds United
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton.
Keith Hackett is adamant that Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure deserved to be dismissed in their 2-2 draw at Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues led twice at Elland Road through goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray, but Mateusz Klich and Raphinha deprived Rafa Benitez of consecutive wins.
In an action-packed encounter in West Yorkshire, Doucoure was right in the middle of the battle in midfield.
However, ex-Premier League referee Hackett believes the 28-year-old Frenchman was fortunate to play the whole game after a first-half incident involving Leeds sticker Patrick Bamford.
“That’s a pullback,” Hackett told Goodison News.
“He’s got a clear run at goal and therefore, for me, it’s a foul and he’s applied an advantage which doesn’t materialise.
“I think that’s a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, I don’t care whether he’s missed.
“I think the pull has increased the distance between Bamford and the ball and it’s impacted on his ability to have a clear shot on goal.
“So, for me, I was expecting a red card.
“The referees have got to apply the law, which is clear.
“Even if you play advantage it doesn’t negate the foul, so go back and red card the player. The bare minimum should be a yellow card.”
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Doucoure did eventually pick up a card when he saw yellow after a foul in the 82nd minute.
That’s now successive yellow cards for the 2020 signing from Watford after he was cautioned in the opening day win against Southampton at Goodison Park.
He’s certainly been in the thick of the action already this season with a goal and assist also to his name.
But he must tread a bit more carefully to avoid picking up a one-game ban for accumulating too many cards.
He’s already a third of the way to last season’s tally of six.
In other Everton news, Andy Gray & Richard Keys demand Blues player exit after Leeds comments controversy.
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