‘Don’t like this’: Gary Lineker unhappy with one key incident during Everton’s draw vs Brighton

Everton claimed a hard-fought point on the road yesterday afternoon, but were desperately close to snatching all three.

However, as is the way with the Toffees at the moment, devastation struck to snatch away any positivity that this fanbase might have enjoyed. It truly is a tough time to support this club at the moment.

What made that late goal even tougher to take, scored in the 95th minute of a bizarre nine minutes of added time, was the fact that Brighton and Hove Albion only had ten men too.

And yet, they continued to dominate following Billy Gilmour’s dismissal, frustrating goalscorer Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, despite the Scotsman’s hefty challenge on Amadou Onana meriting his sending-off, Micah Richards and Gary Lineker came to blows on Match of the Day last night.

What Micah Richards and Gary Lineker said about Everton

Unsurprisingly, Everton’s uninspiring 1-1 draw on the road was relegated to last-place viewing on the BBC’s quintessential football show.

It is a slot that Sean Dyche’s side has likely become used to inhabiting, with few of their games ever really capturing the attention with a flurry of goals and excitement.

However, whilst the score remained reserved, this game did have plenty of interesting flashpoints. A last-gasp equaliser, a stunner from a centre-back, a keen tactical battle between two polar opposite styles and a contentious red card.

The latter was a keen topic of discussion, which Richards first noting: ‘I actually think he takes a bad touch, similar to Maguire we showed earlier, I think it’s a red card because of the height of it.’

Lineker, however, would play devil’s advocate: ‘He’s just kicked the ball and followed through a fraction.’

The former Manchester City defender was not so forgiving though: ‘No but he could break his leg! I think it’s a red card. It’s dangerous.’

Running out of time on the show, Everton’s striker during the 1985/86 season ended their debate: ‘I know they give those nowadays but I don’t like this rule. He’s just kicked the ball. Football is dangerous.’

Should Billy Gilmour have been sent off vs Everton?

It is understandable why Gilmour’s red has drawn such debate.

After all, the former Chelsea man does get the ball first, but once again it is that follow-through which dooms him to an inevitable dismissal.

The manner in which the sport has been twisted now impedes any sort of contact, but realistically such a refereeing decision is unlikely to stamp out those sorts of challenges.

Seldom are they intentional, and thus common sense does not really prevail.

It is understandable what they are trying to do with these red cards, but ultimately they will do little to alter Premier League players’ actions in the future. The decision to make such a tackle is too reactionary, and this exact challenge makes for a hugely subjective call from the referee.

By the letter of the modern-day law, it is a red card, but Lineker makes a very fair point about how these ever-changing statutes are highly questionable at the best of times.

New target: Everton now eyeing move to sign new “warrior” to replace Branthwaite – report

Whilst they await the verdict of an appeal over their Financial Fair Play charge and subsequent 10-point deduction, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards a potential replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite, should the defender depart in a bid to raise cash this summer.

Everton transfer news

If Everton are hit with a second-point deduction to go hand-in-hand with their second FFP charge this season, then they may find themselves all but relegated to the Championship. And that could have dire consequences for Sean Dyche and his side, who would see several players decide to jump a sinking ship.

Among those who could leave is Branthwaite, who has enjoyed an impressive season so far at Goodison Park, emerging as a standout player. Those performances could come at a cost for Everton though, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and even Real Madrid now reportedly interested in securing the £75m-rated defender in the coming months.

The Toffees already face an uphill climb when it comes to keeping hold of Branthwaite, but relegation from the Premier League could leave them with no chance of avoiding his exit. With that said, those at Goodison Park are seemingly already preparing for the defender’s exit, with a replacement lined up.

According to Football Transfers, Everton are eyeing a move to sign Daniel Ballard from Sunderland if they need to replace Branthwaite this summer. The Black Cats defender graduated from Arsenal’s academy before finding his feet at The Stadium of Light. Now 24-years-old, the former Gunner could be on the move once more, with Sunderland setting a reported price tag of €23m (£20m), which would allow the Blues to have plenty leftover if it was a simple one in one out.

Whilst they may not need it, Ballard has plenty of Championship experience under his belt, which could prove to be a vital effort should Everton fail to avoid the drop this season. As things stand, Dyche’s side sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, level on points with Luton Town.

“Warrior” Ballard can replicate Branthwaite success

The thought of an Everton side without Branthwaite at the heart of it seems a worrying one for Everton these days, to sum up the defender’s impressive rise in the last year or so. But, if the 21-year-old does depart, then Ballard’s stats prove that he’d be more than capable of stepping into Branthwaite’s role with similar success.

Former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray was well aware of Ballard’s quality too, praising the defender at the start of the season: “I say we’re lucky to have him, but it was brilliant recruitment to bring Dan Ballard to this football club. He’s a diamond of a lad.

“I’m not sure where his ceiling is but he’s a wonderful footballer and an old-school centre-half who puts his body on the line. And if he plays against a really strong player, he just gets stronger himself. He reacts to what’s in front of him. He needed to be good last night against a good team. He’s a warrior, amazing really.”

Brighton handed boost as Everton confirm major injury blow ahead of Premier League clash

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