Stephen Warnock smashes into Craig Pawson for ‘stinker’ Ibrahima Konate decision in 2-0 Everton loss v Liverpool
Stephen Warnock smashed into referee Craig Pawson after his “stinker” decision not to award Ibrahima Konate with a second yellow card as Everton suffered a 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah scored two goals to send Jurgen Klopp’s men to the top of the Premier League for a couple hours at least, in a game which saw senior Everton man Ashley Young sent off for a second yellow after a foul on Luis Diaz before half-time.
However, Reds defender Konate could well have had a second yellow of his own when he felled Everton striker Beto early in the second half for which Pawson controversially decided not to give the French international a second yellow.
And Warnock, reacting live on BBC Radio 5 Live [via BBC Sport, 21 October, 1:55 pm] slammed the referee for his decision not to send the Liverpool defender off.
He said: “It should be level, ten men each.
“It is terrible from the referee, a really cynical challenge from Konate. Already on a yellow and tugs back Beto’s shirt.
“A stinker of a decision.”
Costly error
Young was correctly sent off for his foul of Luis Diaz but Liverpool should have had a man sent off too after Konate clearly tripped Beto, even if it was accidental.
Everton were on a potentially dangerous break at that point and the fact that Pawson decided against the second yellow was incredibly baffling and ultimately cost the Toffees in the end.
The referee was also guilty of failing to hand Kostas Tsimikas a yellow card after a recurrence of several fouls in a span of ten minutes.
The refereeing so far this season has been absolutely dreadful and this is certainly the latest controversy in such a high-profile game in which Everton can be really encouraged by, despite the defeat.
The Toffees’ resilience and doggedness in their defending was admirable and superb and had Konate been sent off when he did, it could have affected Liverpool and handed Everton the bonus they needed to potentially grab a crucial result at Anfield.
Dyche will absolutely be reeling and rightly so at another controversial call going against his team.
In other Everton news, one senior Goodison Park star may never start again for Dyche after what he did at Anfield.