'It's violent' - James Tarkowski should be serving Everton suspension as footage re-analysed

James Tarkowski could have been shown a red card during Everton's defeat to Chelsea had a different referee been in charge.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Paul Tierney did everything he could to keep everyone on the pitch.

Pedro Neto would eventually seal a 2-0 win for the Blues at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 17 October, but it could have been a much simpler afternoon for them.

In the 34th minute, Morgan Rogers erupted at Tarkowski after the Toffees captain body-checked his teammate, Moises Caicedo, off the ball.

There was a huge confrontation between players, with the referee showing a yellow card to both Tarkowski and Rogers for their roles in the incident.

Chelsea fans have since shared footage of the defender's off-the-ball challenge, with many suggesting that he should have seen red instead.

James Tarkowski a lucky boy vs Chelsea

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett agrees with the growing majority, suggesting that it was right on the border between yellow and red, and the player should be serving a suspension in the next league games.

"I think he's fortunate. It could quite easily have received a red. I think the referee, in this game, has tried to keep players on," he said.

"As a result, he's given a yellow card. It's definitely reckless, but it's more towards violent. He body-checked him with a degree of force.

"Again, in the context of the game, I think the referee's probably taking the line that it's just borderline; there is contact in football, and that's probably why he's decided to issue a yellow and not the red.

"If that game would have been a bit touchy and a bit violent, if you like, or higher stakes, then I think he might well have gone to the red."

What else did Paul Tierney get wrong on Merseyside?

Supporters on both sides ended the game pretty frustrated at the referee, with calls going against Everton and Chelsea during the 90 minutes.

One of the more baffling decisions was the treatment of Cole Palmer. He got away with several examples of dissent, and also a lunging tackle on Jarrad Branthwaite.

If Chelsea wanted Harrison Armstrong sent off in the first half, then Palmer should have been shown a second yellow for his late challenge.

Tierney did well to keep all the players on the pitch after dishing out five yellows in the opening 34 minutes, but the atmosphere never fizzled out.