Everton manager Frank Lampard says his side have been “on the wrong end of a lot of bad decisions this season” after the nine-man Toffees were beaten by Brentford at Goodison Park.
Leeds’ draw at home to Brighton earlier on Sunday meant victory for Lampard’s team would have secured their top-flight status with two games to spare, but the narrow loss leaves them just two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley and one above Jesse Marsch’s side, who have played a game more.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin got the faintest of touches to Richarlison’s flick to give the hosts an early lead, but the dismissal of teenage defender Jarrad Branthwaite – which came moments after Richarlison’s appeals for a penalty for a foul by Kristoffer Ajer were turned down – swung the momentum back in the visitors’ favour.
“When you see that shirt pull [on Richarlison], that’s a foul anywhere on the pitch,” said Lampard, who is facing an FA hearing over comments made in the aftermath of last month’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.
“This ‘clear and obvious’ phrase, I don’t know if it still counts but I think it’s a nonsense. The decision is either right or wrong.
“Is a shirt pull a foul? Yes. Is it in the box? Yes. It’s a penalty.”
A Richarlison spot-kick in first-half stoppage time restored Everton’s advantage after Seamus Coleman’s own goal had levelled for the Bees, but Brentford dominated the second half and deservedly turned the game on its head through headers from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry.
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