Sutton and Savage at odds over Ashley Young controversy as red card claim made
Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage have had a major disagreement over the controversy involving Ashley Young in the 2-2 draw between Everton and Manchester United on Saturday.
Manchester United came from two goals behind to salvage a point at Goodison Park on 22 February after first-half goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure initially put Everton in control.
If that was not enough, the game had an even more dramatic finish as Andy Madley awarded David Moyes’ side a penalty after Matthijs de Ligt pulled Young down in the box before overturning his decision after watching the replay on the pitchside monitor in added time.
The decision to overturn the penalty has stirred controversy, with fans and pundits hitting out at Madley and VAR, while Sutton has accused Young of diving.
Young should have been sent off in draw v Manchester United – Sutton
Discussing the controversy on BBC Radio 5, Sutton insisted that Young “embellished” his dive in an attempt to con the referee and expressed his contentment at Madley consulting the monitor before making his decision.
“Ashley Young, I think he embellished his dive. I think he dived”, Sutton said.
“I think there was a tug on the shirt, but the fact he’s trying to con the referee into winning a penalty, I think that was the correct decision.
“What I liked about it Rob is the referee went to the monitor.”
Savage, meanwhile, admitted that he agreed with Sutton, but argued that it was not a clear and obvious error enough to overturn the decision, saying: “I agree with you, I don’t think it was a penalty, but I think because the referee gave it on-field, the VAR should not have gotten involved because of the bar.
“So, they said they will try not to change as much and there was not enough clear and obvious error because it was a pull of the shirt twice.”
Confused by Savage’s explanation, Sutton replied: “Hang on a minute, you said you agreed with me.”
| Pundit | Penalty Stance |
| Sutton | No penalty |
| Savage | No penalty, but on-field decision should have stood |
| Alan Pardew | Penalty |
| Henry Winter | Penalty |
It prompted Savage to explain his opinion further, pointing out that the penalty should have stood as Young’s shirt was pulled twice in the box.
“Yes, but if he doesn’t give the penalty, but because he gave it, VAR should not have got involved in my opinion because it was two pulls on the shirt”, he said.
Sutton, though, was having none of it as he went on to claim that the Everton player should have been shown a second yellow card for simulation and, therefore, sent off.
“I think the fact that he played for it, he shouldn’t be awarded a penalty and do you know what, it should have been a second yellow for him, there’s one for you.
“He was booked earlier, should have been a second yellow.”
Everton above Manchester United in Premier League
Nevertheless, the result saw Everton remain above Manchester United in the Premier League, with only a point separating them at 14th and 15th place.
It is a testament to Moyes’ impact that the Goodison Park outfit have gone from battling relegation at the start of the year to moving above United in the table since his arrival.
The Merseyside-based club are on course to avoid relegation with ease as they are now placed 14 points above the drop zone with 11 games left to play.
Everton can go as high as 12th place if they win their next Premier League game against Brentford on Wednesday, 26 February.