90min

Carlo Ancelotti Blames Merseyside Derby Controversy for Lucas Digne Red Card vs Southampton

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson, Krishan Davis

Lucas Digne was given his marching orders for a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters
Lucas Digne was given his marching orders for a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters / Robin Jones/Getty Images
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Carlo Ancelotti has suggested the controversy over Jordan Pickford's challenge on Virgil van Dijk in the Merseyside Derby last week contributed to Lucas Digne's red card against Southampton on Sunday.

Digne was dismissed for raking his studs down Kyle Walker-Peters ankle in the 72nd minute of the Toffees' 2-0 defeat at St Mary's.

The game was settled by first-half strikes from James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams, with the visitors never really recovering.

Digne was fuming about being given his marching orders
Digne was fuming about being given his marching orders / Robin Jones/Getty Images

Speaking after the contest, Ancelotti mused that referee Kevin Friend's decision may have been influenced by the furore that has been brewing about Pickford's challenge on Van Dijk, which caused a tear in the Dutchman's anterior cruciate ligament and will likely see him miss the majority of the season.

"The red card was a joke. Maybe the fact that there was a lot of talk about Pickford and Richarlison against Liverpool affected this decision," he said (via BBC Sport).

Pickford was criticised for his challenge on Van Dijk
Pickford was criticised for his challenge on Van Dijk / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

"I think everyone knows that it was not a red card. We are going to appeal. To lose a player like Digne for three games. It is not fair. For sure, it was not a red card."

Digne had two goes at bringing down Walker-Peters as the Toffees chased the game, but it was the second that drew the ire of referee Kevin Friend. Trying to keep pace with the Spurs man, Digne trod on the outside of his opponent's ankle to send him sprawling to the ground.

Friend showed the Frenchman a straight red card and the VAR did not see it as a clear and obvious error by the referee.

Carlo Ancelotti was not happy about the decision
Carlo Ancelotti was not happy about the decision / Robin Jones/Getty Images

As Ancelotti alluded to, Everton are already without Richarlison following his late red card against Liverpool, and now fellow key man Digne will join him in the sin bin.

Both players will miss the upcoming games against Newcastle and Man Utd, while Digne will also be out for the trip to Fulham after the November international break.