Richarlison’s behaviour is holding Everton back as new footage analysed – expert
Richarlison is “like the boy who cried wolf” and his reputation is holding Everton back, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict after Everton’s controversial 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Sunday (15 May).
Everton were reduced to 10-men after Jarrad Branthwaite was sent off for fouling Ivan Toney after 18 minutes.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the game, Frank Lampard insisted his side should have had a penalty for a foul on Richarlison, 25, just before the ball was launched to Toney.
Asked whether he thought Lampard had a point, Agbonlahor said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Not really, no.
“It happens so quickly and Richarlison is like the boy who cried wolf, you don’t know if it’s an actual pull on him.
“I don’t think it should have been brought back. It’s just poor defending.
“Yes the ball is in the opposite box but the defender should always give himself a yard on the striker. For Toney, who is not even that quick, to get in behind you like that is suicidal defending.
“Yes, it was an accident the way he brought Toney down but it’s a red card and with that little bit of inexperience from a 19-year-old defender, that’s what happens. Experienced defenders would always give that yard even if the ball is in the other box unless they’re Kyle Walker who is the quickest in the Premier League.
“If you’re not a quick defender, just give yourself a yard. If the ball comes out and the striker holds it up that’s fine because you can go out and press him. You just can’t let the striker get in behind like that.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a ‘£50million’ claim as Everton eye two ‘pivotal’ behind-the-scenes deals.