Micah Richards believes referee Andrew Madley was right to only award Jan Bednarek a yellow card as Everton lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints defender was penalised after bringing Beto just outside the penalty area during the Toffees’ defeat at St Mary’s Stadium on 2 November, with only goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale left to
This decision, of course, caused outrage among the travelling fans, especially nine minutes later when Adam Armstrong scored the winner to hand all three points to Russel Martin’s side.
Speaking via BBC’s Match of the Day on Saturday (2 October), Richards said: “I understand why he’s [Sean Dyche] not happy but there’s cover around. Harwood-Bellis is there. Yellow card is the right decision.
Joe Hart added: “I agree. I think Harwood-Bellis will get across.”
Everton hit setback in Southampton defeat
The Toffees should have been clear favourites when travelling down to the south coast, but considering how the season has gone so far, a defeat is not the most surprising outcome.
Many pundits actually predicted a narrow win for the Saints, who have now managed to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League table, but at the expense of Dyche’s side.
While their run of five games unbeaten has come to an end, the team seems to be delaying the inevitable after Beto’s 94th-minute equaliser against Fulham last time out.
Dyche has every right to be frustrated with the decision to only caution Bednarek. Still, the Toffees should not have depended on a single moment to beat a relegation-threatened side.
They had more than enough quality to claim all three points at St Mary’s Stadium, but with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom all struggling in the final third, it was just not their day.
An upcoming clash against West Ham will certainly be an interesting away day for the Toffees, and Dyche will have another opportunity to make amends following the 1-0 loss to Southampton.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has issued a new takeover verdict as a timeline update emerges at Goodison Park.