Sky Sports pundit concerned Jamie Carragher caused Everton star Anthony Gordon diver reputation
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Anthony Gordon is gaining an unfair reputation as a diver after the Everton winger was denied a penalty against Newcastle, Kevin Campbell fears.
The Toffees youngster sparked a furious reaction from the Newcastle players when he went down in the box after contact with Dan Burn on 19 October, with Jordan Pickford and Kieran Trippier carrying on a furious row into the tunnel at half-time, and no penalty was given.
Sky Sports pundit Campbell fears that the high profile comments from Jamie Carragher during the 24 April meeting with Liverpool may have had an effect, and believes referees should be looked at for unfairly penalising the 21-year-old instead of judging individual instances on merit.
On whether the Toffees attacker is gaining a reputation as a diver he exclusively told Goodison News: “Yeah I think so. Do you remember what Carragher was talking about at the Merseyside derby?
“That put it into a lot of people’s heads that he dives etc. and the one in the derby in the second half last season, that was a stonewall penalty.
“But he didn’t get it and you tend to find people watch these things and listen, Jamie Carragher speaking on Sky Sports is powerful.
“So maybe Gordon doesn’t get the decisions he deserves, but sometimes if there’s contact, he’s not a big guy either.
“This is the other thing, he’s not a big guy. So if he gets contact and he goes down, and he moves quick, one little bit of contact can takes you down.
“I’m not saying that it’s all one way and that sometimes he doesn’t look for it, but it’s a bit like the boy who cried wolf.
“Because if you’re not going to give it on one thing, then when it does really happen they’re not giving it.
“So the question is not to look at Gordon, maybe look at the referees because they have to call it as they see it.
“You can’t call it on reputation. You’ve got to call it as you see it.”
Frank Lampard ended up being fined for his reaction to Gordon not being awarded a penalty at Anfield last season, in a game where Carragher also accused Richarlison of diving when he was genuinely injured.
If that sort of narrative builds up around the club and starts to seep into the consciousness of the officials then it clearly puts Everton at a disadvantage.
Campbell criticised Carragher at the time, but it may have had an effect judging by the reactions of Trippier, Fabian Schar and company at St James’ Park a week ago.