Dermot Gallagher shares verdict on ‘reckless’ challenge in Everton defeat v Wolves live on Sky Sports
Dermot Gallagher has branded Max Kilman’s challenge on Amadou Onana as “reckless” but says he didn’t deserve a red card in Wolves’ win over Everton.
The Toffees crashed to a defeat in the Premier League on Boxing Day to make it just one win in ten games in all competitions, but some fans were angered that Kilman didn’t see red for a second half challenge when he raised his boot and made contact with Onana.
But while appearing on Sky Sports News’ “ref watch” segment (27 December), ex-FIFA referee Gallagher admitted that while the challenge wasn’t good he claimed the decision to just dish out a yellow card was correct.
“I think it’s the right decision,” he said.
“It’s a high boot, it’s reckless but his eyes are always on the ball.
“The Everton player actually comes into his area of space and I don’t think Kilman knows he’s come in. He catches him high, it’s reckless but it’s certainly not a red card for me.”
Consistency
Watching the incident back and it’s quite clear to see why a yellow card was given and why Gallagher agrees with the decision, because it’s clearly accidental.
However there have been many incidents in the past, and even this season, where accidental tackles or high boots have been punished with red cards regardless of the intent.
This is what causes the issues for fans and clubs, because with no consistency there is little room to really understand what is going on and what is going to happen in each separate incident.
On another day, with another referee, that would be given as a red card and VAR wouldn’t step in to overturn it and Gallagher would probably be saying that he agrees with that decision too as he so often does.
That could have been the difference between losing the game or winning it by facing off against ten men for an extended period of time, and that could be the difference between relegation or staying up at the end of the season.