Exclusive: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Michael Oliver role after Everton vs Liverpool scenes
Michael Oliver worked hard to maintain control over a “testing” Merseyside derby, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that you have to maintain control in a Merseyside derby, and Oliver had worked hard to do exactly that.
The final Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park was a ferocious affair, and with late-goals and multiple red cards, it was everything that both fans and neutrals could have hoped for.
Everton and Liverpool both saw red cards when Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones and Arne Slot were all sent-off after the final whistle, as tempers boiled over following James Tarkowski’s stunning late leveller.
Tarkowski was criticised by Everton fans for his performance against Bournemouth, but the English defender redeemed himself with a volley in the dying moments.
Oliver got the decision to award Everton a free-kick, which allowed the Toffee’s to open the scoring, “wrong” according to Hackett.
The referee was also criticised for his decisions not to give Conor Bradley a second yellow card, award a penalty for a handball against Ibrahima Konate, or allow a goal from Jarrad Branthwaite, but the former FIFA official pointed to the testing circumstances.
Keith Hackett gives verdict on refereeing Everton vs Liverpool
Everton are set to move in to a new stadium next season, and the match against Liverpool on Tuesday (12 February) was a fitting send-off to one of England’s most historic grounds.
The Merseyside derby is one of football’s most famous matches, infamous for the tension both on and off the pitch.
Hackett, who has refereed the derby between Liverpool’s two famous sides, gave his verdict on Oliver’s performance to Football Insider exclusively, saying: “Having had the pleasure of refereeing Merseyside derby games, the passion and the temperature fluctuates and when officiating you have to maintain control.
“It is always a testing game and Michael Oliver worked hard to maintain control.”
David Moyes returns as Everton boss to spoil Liverpool title-race
Moyes has accomplished a huge amount as a manager during his career, having won multiple trophies, and managed some of the biggest teams in the world.
However, stopping Liverpool from having the last laugh at Goodison Park will rank highly for the Scotsman.
The final results across all Merseyside derby’s at Everton’s home stadium leaves Liverpool with 41 wins, 38 draws, and Everton with 41 wins.