Everton news: Expert slams ‘blatant’ double blunder as ‘ridiculous’ Richarlison controversy analysed
Noel Whelan has insisted Michael Oliver got two major decisions wrong as nine-man Everton slumped to a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Brentford on Sunday (15 May).
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Toffees should have been awarded a penalty just before Jarrad Branthwaite’s first-half sending off.
Richarlison, 25, was the victim of a clear shirt pull from Kristoffer Ajer inside the 18-yard box just moments before a Brentford clearance caught Branthwaite on his heels – causing him to bring down Ivan Toney.
Speaking post-match and quoted by The Independent, Toffees boss Frank Lampard slammed the decision as “nonsense” – insisting his side should have had a penalty.
Richarlison was eventually awarded a spot-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Oliver adjudged Mads Bech Sorensen to have fouled the former Watford man.
Whelan claimed the referee got both decisions wrong and accepted Lampard has every right to ask questions about the decisions.
“The shirt-pull was more of a penalty than the one just before half-time,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“That one was Richarlison at his worst, with his ridiculous diving antics – throwing himself to the floor.
“But I do believe the shirt pull should have been a penalty. It’s hampering Richarlison getting on the ball and it’s a blatant pull. You could have seen that all around the stadium.
“I sympathise with Lampard there, but then again – they got that decision which probably wasn’t a penalty. It levels itself out, in my opinion.
“It’s unfortunate and he’s got every right to ask questions of the referee there.”
Everton sit 16th in the Premier League.
They are two points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.
In other news, pundit suggests Ben Godfrey could lead Everton exodus after latest.