James Tarkowski fortunate as ex-FIFA referee reacts to contentious Everton footage
James Tarkowski should’ve booked early on as Everton beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Former FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett believes the Toffees’ centre-back deserved to be sanctioned after he barged into Dan Ndoye in the 11th minute of the game.
Sean Dyche’s team travelled to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and were comfortably beaten by the Blues, as Nikola Milenkovic scored an own goal and Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored on the scoresheet.
Tarkowski was arguably the unsung hero for David Moyes, but he may have been lucky in L4.
VAR James Bell makes right call in Everton win vs Nottingham Forest
While Tarkowski may have been foolish to give Chris Kavenagh and VAR James Bell something to think about, his challenge on Ndoye didn’t warrant a red card, Hackett says.
The ex-Premier League referee doesn’t think the defender’s actions at the Hill Dickinson Stadium constitute violent conduct.
In the 73rd minute, the English centre-back eventually went into the referee’s book after a technical foul on Elliot Anderson.
Speaking to Goodison News, Hackett said: “Tarkowski’s actions are completely unnecessary and in my opinion warrant a yellow card as the sanction, but it’s not violent conduct, so it’s not a red card.”
Moyes has had to deal with a defensive injury crisis at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and a suspension to Tarkowski would’ve only made matters worse.
Idrissa Gueye AFCON absence to be eased after what was seen at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Dewsbury-Hall has been monumental for Moyes this season, with the former Chelsea star continuing to thrive in a deeper role.
With Idrissa Gueye absent, the English midfielder has had no trouble playing alongside James Garner in the double midfield pivot.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| Premier League | 14 | 4 | 2 | 1246 |
With the Senegal international set to travel for the Africa Cup of Nations soon, it looks like the Scottish manager won’t have to worry about it.
Dewsbury-Hall was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch as Forest were beaten soundly.
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