October 21, (THEWILL) – Everton manager, Sean Dyche, was left baffled by referee Craig Pawson’s decision not to send off Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konate, during Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Konate hauled down Everton substitute Neal Maupay midway through the second half but escaped a second yellow card, despite Everton having been reduced to 10 men in the first half when Ashley Young picked up two bookings. Liverpool went on to claim a 2-0 victory, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s penalty and late strike.
Dyche said he was “stunned” that Konate avoided a second caution and suggested “people who were here today would be stunned it was not a second yellow.” He added: “How that’s not a second yellow is nearly impossible I think in the modern game.”
The Everton boss, who himself was booked for his protests, had no complaints about Young’s dismissal or the penalty award, accepting they were by-the-book decisions. However, he urged VAR to be used for game-changing moments like Konate’s challenge that could lead to a red card.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, sympathised with Dyche’s frustrations and immediately substituted Konate after the incident. However, he believed Liverpool’s victory was well-deserved, praising two-goal hero Mohamed Salah for his clinical finishing.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
