Anthony Gordon has cheater reputation and it’s holding Everton back as footage emerges – pundit
Everton winger Anthony Gordon has gained an unwanted reputation for trying to “con” the referee, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict after Gordon’s display in Everton’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday (24 April).
The 21-year-old was booked for simulation in the 25th minute after a challenge by Naby Keita in the Liverpool penalty area.
He then went down under a Joel Matip challenge in the second half but referee Stuart Attwell waved away Everton’s appeals for a penalty.
Agbonlahor has claimed Gordon would have won a spot-kick for the second half incident if he had not dived in the first half.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I didn’t mind the way Everton played, to be honest.
“If you’re going away to Liverpool, there’s only one way you’re going to beat them.
“At Aston Villa, we went away to Liverpool and beat them 1-0 I scored. We sat back and frustrated them, that’s how you go and win games there.
“If you open up, there are top players in one-v-ones and you’re going to lose.
“Richarlison did what he does every game. It was working, he was frustrating the Liverpool players.
“On another day, Everton get a deserved penalty and win the game.
“Gordon did go down very easily earlier on in the game. If he hadn’t dived in the first half he would have got a penalty in the second half, I’m sure of it.
“The referee in his mind is thinking ‘You’re going down too easily. Are you trying to con me again?’
“He needs to try and get rid of that name because he was the best player on the pitch.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued an ‘absolutely critical’ claim as Everton are on the verge of a £300million deal.