Sky Sports pundit Kieron Dyer took issue with a claim made by Everton boss Rafa Benitez in a key flashpoint during Everton’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham.
A late Angelo Ogbonna goal was enough to cut short the ambitions of Benitez’ side on the hunt for more points as David Moyes had the last laugh against his former club.
Jordan Pickford conceded a corner when he challenged Michail Antonio in the air for the ball, but Benitez suggested Pickford was fouled by Antonio as he gave away the corner in his post-match comments [as shared via the Liverpool Echo].
Dyer spoke out on Benitez’ Everton comment on Sky Sports Premier League after the match on Sunday afternoon, with the former West Ham midfielder instead slamming Pickford for not showing enough tenacity against new Jamaica international Antonio.
“I didn’t think it was a foul at all,” claimed the ex-Hammers man [via Goodison News].
“I thought it was a great spring by Antonio and if I’m being really honest, Pickford has to punch that ball.
“He’s not going to catch the ball, he can sense how high Antonio is.
“Punch the ball away but for me, that wasn’t a foul that led to the goal.”
Read Everton Verdict
Unfortunately for Benitez, there was little contention over the validity of the goal.
At the end of the day, Everton come away empty-handed and will be rueing their missed chances against the Irons.
Perhaps Pickford should have done better, but more to the point the wider offensive performance needs to be looked at in the post-match autopsy.
