Ex-FIFA official raves about Andy Madley after what he did for Everton in 2-2 draw v Sheffield United
Keith Hackett was impressed by Andy Madley’s decision to award a double advantage to Everton in the draw against Sheffield United on Saturday (2 September).
The ex-FIFA official praised the Premier League referee for playing on following fouls to both Idrissa Gueye and James Garner in the build-up to Arnaut Danjuma’s equaliser.
The 26-year-old Dutchman’s strike in the 55th minute earned a point for the Toffees in the 2-2 draw, which may not have been possible if it wasn’t for the advantage played by Madley at Bramall Lane, with Hackett tweeting his congratulations to the referee on 3 September.
“Well done referee Andy Madley, who applied a double advantage in the Sheff Utd v Everton game, allowing play to continue and Everton to go on and score the equaliser,” said Hackett.
Due praise
It doesn’t happen too often, but referees certainly do deserve praise when they make a good decision and that is exactly what happened in South Yorkshire.
Madley could have – and perhaps some officials would have – blown for a foul long before Danjuma eventually swept the ball home for Everton.
The referees often receive quite a bit of flack for the decisions they make, but it is important to give them credit on the occasions where they do get a big call right.
Everyone wants to see a game flow and not be ruined by a whistle-happy referee, so some more decisions in this manner would be very welcome as the PGMOL attempts to improve its officiating standards this season.
The most important thing for the Toffees, though, is that they were allowed to complete their excellent move up the field for the forward’s goal and they are now up and running in the league this season.
In other Everton news, Gary Lineker noticed something unusual Jordan Pickford did in the game against Sheff United.