Webb and Owen disagree as controversial Everton v Brentford footage re-emerges
Michael Owen and Howard Webb have disagreed over the red card shown to Christian Norgaard in the game between Everton and Brentford at Goodison Park last month.
Brentford midfielder Norgaard was issued a straight red card following a VAR review for what was adjudged to be a studs-up challenge on Jordan Pickford during the first half of the goalless draw between the sides on 23 November.
The Bees have since successfully appealed against the decision, which rescinded Norgaard’s punishment, a decision Webb disagrees with as he believes it was a red card. Owen did not agree, claiming as a player there is a duty to go for the ball.
“I would have expected them to see this in the way I did as an act of serious foul play when the studs go into the knee of Jordan Pickford as it endangers his safety,” PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer Webb said on the Premier League’s Mic’d Up feature [11 December].
Owen argued: “You’re never going to tell any goalscorer it might hurt this person or that person. You’ve got to try to score. No sympathy there [for Norgaard]? Is there no way you can change the rule in any way?”
Webb added: “There’s quite a lot of force going into that vulnerable part of the body with a knee from the studs. There’s a risk when he when lunges in that way. And when he fails to make contact with the ball and makes contact with Pickford in this way, the consequences are that his safety is in danger and therefore it’s an act of serious play.”
Everton v Brentford red card controversy divides opinion
The upshot of what Webb and Owen have discussed here is that they both agree on how the ruling itself was enforced – the difference is Owen would prefer the rule to be changed, culminating in his satisfaction with Norgaard’s ban being rescinded.
Many at Everton would have been furious with the call to overturn the red, despite the fact it was swung in their favour in the game having initially not been picked up by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Pickford recovered fairly quickly to continue, though that is not the point of the decision. In real time upon checking replays, it looks unintentional but forceful from Norgaard and the Dane was never avoiding a red card once VAR Joe Donohue recommended the monitor review.
Adrian Clarke was one of those on Owen’s side, branding the dismissal “ridiculous” [The Athletic, 24 November] – Clarke will therefore have been delighted with the retrospective action in Brentford and their player’s favour.
Ultimately, the reversal took place after the game which makes it irrelevant to the Toffees ever since the final whistle at Goodison that day, though some would have preferred what they perceive to be justice against Norgaard for the challenge.
In other Everton news, the club are ready to reignite their interest in a forward they missed out on in the summer.
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