{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Alan Shearer shocked by Allan red card in Everton clash v Newcastle
Alan Shearer has admitted that he was ‘surprised’ by Craig Pawson’s decision to send off Everton midfielder Allan in the 1-0 win over Newcastle.
The Brazilian midfielder was given a straight red card for a cynical tackle on Allan Saint-Maximin in the second half, after VAR told the referee to review the tackle on the monitor after he initially gave a yellow card.
The red card seemed harsh to everyone in the stadium and watching on TV, and Allan was furious with the decision. While appearing on commentary for Amazon Prime Sport, Magpies legend Shearer admitted he didn’t think it was a red card either.
“When you look at it in slow motion, it doesn’t look nice at all,” he said.
“I’m surprised at that. I looked at that two or three times to begin with and although I knew exactly what he was doing I didn’t think it was a red card.
“When I looked at that decision there, three or four times I looked at it and I didn’t think that was a clear and obvious howler or error from the referee. I thought it was a tactical foul, and he knew exactly what he was doing to stop Saint-Maximin but I didn’t think it was worthy of a straight red.”
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Harsh
Was the tackle by Allan cynical? Yes, absolutely. Did he know exactly what he was doing? Yes. Was it a red card though? Never.
It wasn’t reckless or dangerous, simply a tactical foul to stop a fresh-legged, free flowing winger from flying into his half. He took one for the team.
It’s something we’ve seen countless times in the past and it’s always been seen and acknowledged as a yellow card. VAR made a mountain out of a molehill with that decision.
The referee was perfectly placed to see the foul and immediately awarded a yellow and a foul, with no sort of argument from any player from either team.
Thankfully it didn’t hurt Lampard’s side too much as they claimed a 99th minute winner without Allan, but it does mean he’ll be unavailable for the FA Cup quarter-final at the weekend at the bare minimum.
In other Everton news, View: Senior ace drops 3/10 stinker, MOTM gets 8 – Everton player ratings v Newcastle