Former Liverpool star and Sky Sports commentator and pundit Jamie Carragher has slammed Everton’s Andre Gomes for his actions in the club’s 2-0 win v Bournemouth on Sunday.
Goals from Kurt Zouma and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the striker netting with nearly the last kick of the game – secured the three points for the Toffees in what was a feisty clash at Goodison Park.
Portuguese midfielder Gomes was one of many booked during the 90 minutes and Carragher hammered him for gambling on picking up a second yellow with some risky decisions, including a particularly late foul not long after his first yellow.
He said on Sky Sports’ commentary of the clash (13:01, 15:45): “Just given a yellow card, the crowd are up, screaming at the Everton players, we all know what is coming next, it’s going to be a big challenge from an Everton player.
“He goes after, chasing the ball. He’s a very, very lucky boy. It’s a stupid challenge. Possibly should be down to 10 men. Dangerous position to be in.”
Opinion
Hammer, meet head of nail. Carragher is absolutely right in everything he has to say about the Everton midfielder, who really should have seen red for his actions. They were not malicious but poorly timed and had he not already been on a yellow card he would almost certainly have picked up a booking. The officials chose to be lenient on this occasion and the Portugal star can consider himself incredibly fortunate that he will be able to feature in his club’s next game. He needs to manage his discipline better than he did on Sunday afternoon, otherwise manager Marco Silva is going to have to do without him at other points of the season. Had he seen his marching orders, who knows if the Cherries could have found a way back into the game. Either way, this was a warning for the Toffees and one which they need to heed immediately.