Everton will be furious with PGMOL after ‘clear foul’ is missed before Liverpool opener
Everton suffered another defeat in the Merseyside derby as Liverpool eased to a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Ryan Gavenberch opened the scoreline early on at Anfield with a hooked ball over Jordan Pickford.
Hugo Ekitike then made it 2-0 before half-time in a dominate first-half from the Reds.
While Idrissa Gueye did manage to pull a goal back in the second half, it wasn’t enough, as Liverpool won 2-1 at Anfield.
Peter Gill: Darren England missed clear foul in build-up to Liverpool opener
It was a difficult opening to the Merseyside derby for Everton.
The hosts dominated early on and quickly took the lead through Gravenberch with an acute finish.
However, in the build-up to the goal, Peter Gill pointed out on Sky Sports on 20 September that there were plenty of dubious decisions that went against the Toffees, particularly the challenge from Conor Bradley on Jack Grealish.
He said: “Everton will rue a couple of decisions in the build-up to that goal.
“There was a clear foul on Grealish ignored a minute or so ago, but the tackle to win the ball back from Ndiaye looked a fair one.”
- Gravenberch netted the opener during the Merseyside derby
- However, there was a potentially a foul on Grealish just before the goal
- Yet, England deemed that the challenge was fine
While the decision not to give a free-kick for the challenge on Grealish may not seem significant at the time, it clearly had an impact on the result.
If a foul had been given, it could have relieved the pressure and could have even resulted in a goal-scoring opportunity.
Instead, minutes later, Liverpool took the lead, with the goal eventually paving the way for an easy victory for the hosts.
Therefore, while Moyes may have been pleased that Darren England was appointed as the referee for the Merseyside derby, the Scotsman is likely leaving Anfield fuming with the PGMOL.
Darren England had a shocking game in Liverpool vs Everton
Throughout the match, England had many puzzling decisions that went against Everton.
Multiple challenges of Grealish went unpunished despite the winger being seemingly fouled.
On top of this, the yellow card to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for taking a free-kick too quickly in the second half was nothing short of baffling.
If these decisions were reversed, Everton could have easily come away with a point which could prove to be vital if Everton are in the fight for European qualification later in the season.
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