BBC pundit Chris Sutton has taken aim at Everton forward Richarlison for simulation after the Brazilian was booked in a dismal first half for the Blues.
The Blues entered the break of their ultimate 3-1 triumph over Southampton on opening day looking without an answer after summer signing Adam Armstrong delivered a 1-0 lead to the Saints.
The 24-year-old Richarlison was booked for simulation in a symptom of a desperate-looking Everton side that found themselves embarrassed at the back after a Michael Keane error.
Fortunately, Richarlison would go on to redeem himself with a carefully crafted equaliser off the back of a dinked header from Andros Townsend.
Indeed, a spirited individual goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure and an added strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin would wrap up all three points for the Toffees in a remarkable comeback from Rafa Benitez’ new-look side.
However, that did not prevent Sutton from lambasting the simulation incident and called upon the forward to purge diving from his game.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday evening [15/08/21], as shared on their Twitter account, ex-England striker Sutton fumed at the Olympic Gold medallist in a segment called ‘The Simulation Game’.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, we didn’t want to bring this game back but we have to, it’s hasn’t stopped,” Sutton said [via Goodison News].
“The winner of this week’s simulation game is Richarlison.
“What are you doing? It was ridiculous, wasn’t it?
“Richarlison, you’re better than that.
“It was embarrassing from Richarlison. He got a yellow, it should have been a red.”
Read Everton Verdict
Sutton clearly got caught up in his own frustrations, but Everton fans will agree that diving is an unprofessional component of part of the dark arts of modern football.
It was a moment of shame for the forward, but fans will care about the result more than anything else.
Richarlison certainly saw no love lost on him as Goodison Park erupted into roars and cheers with his equaliser, and claims he should have seen red for a simulation borders on the ridiculous.
