Michael Ball accuses referee of bottling key Everton decision in Newcastle defeat
Joelinton should have been sent off for Newcastle in the game against Everton on Wednesday night but the referee “bottled” it, says Michael Ball.
The Magpies midfielder clumsily cleared out Idrissa Gueye in the centre of the pitch just before half time at St James’ Park in the 1-0 defeat on 19 October, but didn’t receive what looked like a clear booking despite already being on one.
The Brazilian was then substituted at the break and the Toffees, despite an improved display in the second half, were unable to fashion any clear chances to avoid a third straight defeat.
Writing on his personal Twitter account immediately after the incident Ball said: “Ref bottled that one”.
Andy Townsend also thought it should have been a red on the Amazon Prime commentary, but referee Tony Harrington apparently did not.
Sliding doors
Had Everton had an entire half to attack 10 men they might have been able to find the final ball to get a few more shots on target, but the home side got away with one.
It was a disappointing night all round as the Toffees weren’t great and didn’t create enough, but aside from a period of dominance following Miguel Almiron’s excellent first half goal it wasn’t as if Newcastle were clearly the better side.
But however good your performance is you will never give yourself much of a chance to get anything from a game with no shots on target, so that is a concern.
It feels like two games in a row were there for the taking if the Everton players had been able to finish the chances they created at Tottenham on Saturday (15 October), or actually turn pressure into opportunities on Wednesday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was given a first start but looked short of proper match sharpness, although Neal Maupay didn’t do much better when he came on.
And Anthony Gordon was more impactful tracking back towards his own goal on the night, leaving Demarai Gray and Amadou Onana to be the more effective attacking players after the break.
Neither are famed for their end product so unless the more potent threats step up this sort of problem could continue.