Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms as Toffee left-back Lucas Digne was sent off following a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters.
The sending-off exacerbated Everton’s woes in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton, with the French international facing a three-match suspension as Everton were left to swallow their first defeat of the season.
Toffee boss Ancelotti believes that the red card was a consequence of increased scrutiny in lunging challenges from Everton after Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge in the most recent Merseyside derby caused severe injury to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk. He also signalled his intention to appeal the decision:
“The red card was a joke,” Ancelotti told BBC Sport.
“Maybe the fact that there was a lot of talk all week about Pickford and Richarlison against Liverpool affected the decision.
“We will appeal, to lose a player like Digne for three games like this is not fair.”
Ancelotti had previously commented in the week that Pickford is “really sad” the Dutchman is injured, but emphatically denied the tackle was premeditated. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Pickford faced no further disciplinary action for his challenge after the FA deemed that match officials had correctly seen and reviewed his challenge.
Ancelotti was quizzed as to whether he believed that Kevin Friend, the referee at St Mary’s in Southampton, was influenced by previous events.
“You never know,” Ancelotti said. “For sure it was not a red card.”
Despite first-half strikes from Saints captain James Ward-Prowse and striker Che Adams consigning the Toffees to defeat, one consolation is that they remain at the summit of the Premier League, albeit only on goal difference as they are tied on points with current champions and local rivals Liverpool.
Read Everton Verdict
Unfortunately for Ancelotti’s side, it was not unreasonable for Digne to see red.
The challenge, whilst highly unlikely to be intentional, was nonetheless a hefty clip on the heel of Southampton’s Walker-Peters. Such a lunge was potentially endangering, and that sentiment was echoed elsewhere.
“He was frustrated, it’s late, it’s naughty,” said former England winger Karen Carney on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He’s basically got his right foot and gone down the back of Walker-Peters’ ankle and for me that is a red card.
“I don’t think he meant it but it was dangerous and that could have caused issues. It’s the right decision.”
