Sean Dyche blamed for Ashley Young red card in Everton loss v Liverpool
Sean Dyche’s tactics resulted in Ashley Young’s red card in the clash between Everton and Liverpool, according to Premier League journalist Alex Keble.
The veteran Toffees defender was shown two yellow cards in the first half of the match at Anfield on Saturday (21 October).
Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Premier League meeting 2-0, with winger Mohamed Salah netting both of his club’s goals.
“Up until Young’s red card, which, implausibly, was the first time a player has received two yellow cards against Liverpool since October 2015, Everton had been competitive, albeit their surprising recent commitment to attack was giving Liverpool too many opportunities to break at speed,” Keble wrote for the official Premier League website (23 October).
“In fact, it was Everton’s willingness to let the match become stretched that led to Young’s second yellow, as Luis Diaz ran directly at the right-back for the umpteenth time.”
Unlucky?
The Toffees were always going to find it tough at Anfield even with their full contingent, with the thought of playing with 10 men perhaps giving Dyche nightmares.
But that was the scenario for a large chunk of the game on Saturday, with Young giving the referee no option but to show a second yellow card with his foul on Diaz.
The Reds winger was electric in the opening stages, but Young often dealt with the threat, with his efforts including a superb last-ditch tackle inside the box.
But when it mattered, the Colombian got the better of the veteran Englishman, with Young lunging in recklessly on his man.
Dyche’s 10 men put up an admirable fight for the rest of the match, but their efforts were ultimately undone by a determined Liverpool side.
The performance from the Toffees should, however, give them plenty of confidence for the months to come, with similar displays needed if they are to climb up the table.
In other Everton news, a BBC Sport journalist has blasted an “inexplicable” incident in the recent Merseyside Derby defeat to Liverpool.