Micah Richards reacts to Everton controversy, Joe Hart agrees. Credit: BBC's Match of the Day
Micah Richards reacts to Everton controversy, Joe Hart agrees. Credit: BBC's Match of the Day
Match

Micah Richards reacts to Everton controversy v Southampton, Joe Hart agrees

Harri Burton
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: 

Micah Richards believes referee Andrew Madley was right to only award Jan Bednarek a yellow card as Everton lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday.

The Saints defender was penalised after bringing Beto just outside the penalty area during the Toffees' defeat at St Mary's Stadium on 2 November, with only goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale left to beat.

This decision, of course, caused outrage among the travelling fans, especially nine minutes later when Adam Armstrong scored the winner to hand all three points to Russel Martin's side.

Speaking via BBC's Match of the Day on Saturday (2 October), Richards said: "I understand why he's [Sean Dyche] not happy but there's cover around. Harwood-Bellis is there. Yellow card is the right decision.

Joe Hart added: "I agree. I think Harwood-Bellis will get across."

Everton hit setback in Southampton defeat

The Toffees should have been clear favourites when travelling down to the south coast, but considering how the season has gone so far, a defeat is not the most surprising outcome.

Many pundits actually predicted a narrow win for the Saints, who have now managed to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table, but at the expense of Dyche's side.

While their run of five games unbeaten has come to an end, the team seems to be delaying the inevitable after Beto's 94th-minute equaliser against Fulham last time out.

Dyche has every right to be frustrated with the decision to only caution Bednarek. Still, the Toffees should not have depended on a single moment to beat a relegation-threatened side.

They had more than enough quality to claim all three points at St Mary's Stadium, but with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom all struggling in the final third, it was just not their day.

An upcoming clash against West Ham will certainly be an interesting away day for the Toffees, and Dyche will have another opportunity to make amends following the 1-0 loss to Southampton.

In other Everton news, Alan Myers has issued a new takeover verdict as a timeline update emerges at Goodison Park.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

Everton
Southampton
Micah Richards
Joe Hart
www.goodisonnews.com