David Moyes, Everton manager. Credit: Imago
David Moyes, Everton manager. Credit: Imago

Everton star 'should have been sent off' after 'blatant' incident v Liverpool

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on

Everton could have gone down to 10 men during their 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Iliman Ndiaye was already forced off during the first half, sustaining a massive injury blow following a coming together with Dominik Szoboszlai on 12 February.

As expected, the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was fueled by emotion, especially on the home side's part, with five yellow cards being shown in the opening 45 minutes by Michael Oliver.

Many supporters will feel that Conor Bradley was lucky to stay on the pitch before being replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold on the hour-mark, but it was the Toffees who seemingly escaped punishment.

Of course, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones and Arne Slot were all sent off after the full-time whistle, but this incident took place during the game.

Idrissa Gueye lucky to last 90 minutes in Everton v Liverpool

Already on a yellow card following a first-half challenge on Luis Diaz, Gueye then pulled back a Liverpool player.

Speaking live via Sky Sports News [12 February, 8:17pm], Tim Sherwood said: "Idrissa Gueye should have been sent off. He's already got a yellow card and he does a blatant pull-back for a second yellow."

While the visiting supporters were furious with the decision, referee Oliver was at least fair with his decisions, choosing not to give Bradley his marching orders.

David Moyes battled Arne Slot all the way at Goodison Park

The Toffees put up an incredible fight during their final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, and it was all worth it as James Tarkowski smashed home an incredible equaliser in the eighth minute of added time.

Beto's incredible start to the game was almost instantly wiped out by Alexis Mac Allister, with Mohamed Salah eventually making his voice heard to fire past Jordan Pickford with 25 minutes left.

David Moyes, Everton manager
David Moyes has returned to Everton. (Credit: Imago)

Moyes' side kept fighting until the very end, though.

It would have been made hard had Gueye been sent off, but after so many years across different divisions, he was experienced enough to know how far he could push it during the clash.

The referee was rather card-happy during the 90 minutes so it might have been quite lucky not to see Everton's midfielder given his marching order, but sadly, it made no difference in the end.

If the Blues play like that for the rest of the season, Moyes will have no trouble leading this team to safety.

Gueye, Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner have created an unbelievable trio of midfielders for the manager to choose from and all of them have been performing in recent weeks.

www.goodisonnews.com