Ancelotti Slams 'joke' Red Card As Saints End Everton's Unbeaten Start
Faizan Hashmi Published October 25, 2020 | 09:50 PM
London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Oct, 2020 ) :Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti slammed Kevin Friend's "joke" decision to send off Lucas Digne as the Premier League leaders unbeaten start to the season ended in a 2-0 defeat against Southampton on Sunday.
Everton had gone eight games without defeat in all competitions this term, but they paid the price for a lethargic display at St Mary's.
Ancelotti's side fell behind to James Ward-Prowse's first-half goal and Che Adams doubled their lead before the interval.
Toffees left-back Digne was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters in the second half despite his claims he tripped when he stood on the Southampton defender's heel.
"The red card was a joke, it was not intentional, for sure it was not violent. Maybe it was a yellow," Ancelotti said.
"It's not right, it's not fair. We will appeal, for sure." Without the suspended Richarlison and injured Seamus Coleman after last weekend's stormy Merseyside derby draw with Liverpool, Everton lacked the drive and quality that had been the hallmark of their strong start to the campaign.
They remain above the champions and local rivals on goal difference after a result that should serve as a reality check.
"We didn't play well, Southampton were better than us and they deserved to win. It came after a really good run for us, now we have to look forward with the same spirit and belief," Ancelotti said.
"I told the players winter is coming and we will have to react.
" Southampton have now only lost twice in 13 league matches and climbed within three points of first place.
An entertaining encounter got off to a fast start when Danny Ings picked out Ryan Bertrand and his pass found Nathan Redmond for a shot that whistled past the post.
Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson went close with a blistering 20-yard drive that cannoned off the crossbar.
Jordan Pickford was in action for the first time since his ugly tackle on Virgil van Dijk left the Liverpool defender with a serious knee injury.
Pickford had been subjected to vicious abuse on social media, but Ancelotti refused to take the error-prone keeper out of the spotlight.
Pickford made a good save to deny Oriol Romeu's blast, but the England international had no chance when Ward-Prowse put Southampton ahead in the 27th minute.
Ward-Prowse passed into Ings, who returned the ball to the midfielder, who took one touch before firing into the far corner for his first goal of the season.
Adams doubled Southampton's lead eight minutes later when Ings' rampaged past Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina before lofting a cross to his strike partner, whose shot deflected off Sigurdsson on its way past Pickford.
Everton were marginally better in the second half, but James Rodriguez wasn't having his usual influence.
Their last hope vanished in the 72nd minute when Digne was dismissed for his awkward foul on Walker-Peters.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
18 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
18 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
6 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
6 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
12 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
13 days ago