Jamie Carragher reacts instantly to ‘silly’ Everton v Tottenham controversy
Jamie Carragher felt Jarrad Branthwaite was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty for a “silly” challenge on Son Heung-min as Everton beat Tottenham 3-2 at Goodison Park.
The England centre-back, 22, nudged into the Spurs attacker during the first half against Spurs on Sunday (19 January).
Replays showed that Son went to ground a little too easily but Carragher, speaking on co-commentary for Sky Sports Main Event (19 January), thinks he gave referee Darren England a decision to make.
“It’s silly from Branthwaite, very lucky to get away with it,” he said.
“You know what maybe there’s a case of Son looking for it, putting his left leg against him, but we’ve seen attacking players do that.”
Jamie Carragher wrong on Jarrad Branthwaite incident in Everton v Tottenham
Carragher is placing this one in the “seen them given” column and, look, maybe he does has a point that they have been given.
But it certainly doesn’t make it a penalty and no way on this planet was this ever a spot-kick.
At worst you could say it was naive but Son is absolutely looking for it and fair play to the referee for not buying it and not pointing to the spot.
For Toffees supporters, it was probably a surprise they weren’t pinged because these sort of decisions often go against the Blues so it was a relief to see it didn’t.
And it was even nicer that it didn’t take the gloss off a sensational first-half display that would have delighted David Moyes, taking charge of just his second game since returning to the club.
Might this just be a turning point for what has to this point been an underwhelming campaign?
In other Everton news, one ace wants to quit Goodison Park as face-to-face talks sought.
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