Keith Hackett: Andros Townsend lucky to escape major action in Everton defeat at Brentford
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 suggests Andros Townsend was fortunate to avoid a red card as Everton lost 1-0 at Brentford on Sunday.
Townsend, 30, conceded a first-half penalty for a high boot on Frank Onyeka after VAR intervened at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Ivan Toney scored the resulting spot-kick in the 24th minute before Townsend received a yellow card for another foul 14 minutes later.
Given Darren England opted not to book Townsend for his first indiscretion, the ex-Crystal Palace winger escaped a red card for two bookable offences.
Former FIFA-listed official Hackett praised the intervention of VAR for Townsend’s foul on Onyeka, but questioned England’s failure to reach for his pocket.
“VAR did the right thing, it was clearly missed by the referee,” Hackett told Goodison News. “VAR saw it as a clear and obvious error, which it was, and therefore I think he was right to come in and intervene. Ultimately, it was a good decision.”
On whether Townsend was lucky to avoid a yellow card, Hackett said: “He was [a bit lucky]. Perhaps he didn’t get a yellow because maybe the referee thought himself he wasn’t on solid ground but I thought it was a penalty kick and thought the VAR did well to come in.”
Blues beaten by Bees
Sunday’s defeat stretched Everton’s winless run to seven games with the Blues goalless in the last three.
Townsend has not scored since netting the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on October 2.
That goal was his fifth in seven games for Everton but he has failed to add to that total in his last six.
In other Everton news, a new name has emerged as a potential Rafa Benitez successor with the Blues plotting a move for this Portuguese manager.
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