Mark Clattenburg says Everton winger Anthony Gordon getting a reputation for diving
Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg says Anthony Gordon is getting a reputation as a diver and that Stuart Attwell got all the big calls right as Everton lost to Liverpool.
The Toffees were beaten 2-0 at Anfield to fall into the bottom three in the Premier League, but were done no favours by the referee as several controversial decisions went against them.
Winger Gordon was booked for diving in the first half and then denied a clear penalty in the second half, but Clattenburg told the Daily Mail that both decisions were correct and the player is getting a reputation for trying to con referees.
“Unfortunately, Everton’s Anthony Gordon is in danger of picking up a reputation for trying to con referees — and that won’t help him in his career,” he said.
“He tried to fool Stuart Attwell into thinking Naby Keita had fouled him in the box when he hadn’t.
“It was an obvious dive and, with VAR, players should know they cannot get away with penalty-box antics any more. Someone ought to remind the youngster of that.
“In the second half, Gordon went down again when Joel Matip challenged him. Everton screamed for a penalty, but Attwell got this one right too.
There wasn’t enough for a spot-kick and playing on was the correct call.”
Wrong
Sorry Mark, but you’re wrong on this. It’s a stonewall penalty on Gordon in the second incident and anyone who has played the game knows that.
The first one certainly looked like a dive on the replays, although Gordon insisted even afterwards that there was contact, and that is something he should cut out of his game.
But it’s hard to believe that if they had been running towards the Kop and it had been Michael Keane’s arm and foot making contact with Mo Salah that a penalty wouldn’t have been given for the second incident.
Gordon was outstanding in the game, constantly driving forward and being a threat while giving his all. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough on this occasion.
If he continues to turn in performances of that level though, and the rest of the squad decide to buck up their ideas, then Everton will feel as though they can get enough points to earn safety.
In other Everton news, Everton are reportedly ‘open to offers’ for first-team ace who came through the academy
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