Gary Lineker mocks Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure after controversial incident shown on MOTD v Brighton
Gary Lineker has mocked Abdoulaye Doucoure following a controversial incident in the Everton game against Brighton on Saturday (4 November).
Speaking on Match of the Day (01:22:01), pundit Martin Keown suggested the referee blew up too early when he awarded a free-kick against Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the edge of the box in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
He said the 30-year-old Doucoure could have scored after picking up the loose ball after the whistle had been blown before the Mali international struck an effort wide of the goal, with host Lineker adding “not with that finish”.
“This is a nice give-and-go from Doucoure,” said Keown. “Gets to the edge of the box, the referee blows up here and I’m wondering if he’d just played on, maybe that might have been the old decisive second goal, which they never got.”
“Not with that finish,” responded Lineker.
Could have been different
It wasn’t great refereeing to blow straight away before letting the play unfold as Doucoure would have had a clear opportunity to score.
It was excellent play from the midfielder as he linked up with Calvert-Lewin before he was chopped down on the edge of the box.
Although he did take a wild strike at goal, as Lineker alluded to, perhaps he would’ve shown more composure if the referee hadn’t already blown his whistle for a foul.
That could have put the Toffees 2-0 up in the game at a crucial point, potentially leading to them picking up what would have been a super three points.
But a point against Brighton certainly isn’t the worst result and it’s another sign that the Blues are improving under Sean Dyche this season.
In other Everton news, a club chief has apologised for a “scary” incident that happened against Burnley.