Pundit Michael Ball was thrilled by a key flashpoint during Monday night’s Everton victory over Burnley.
The game was littered with memorable goals in front of a jubilant home crowd at Goodison Park, but a more subtle moment came in a feisty incident following a hard challenge.
Richarlison endured a hefty challenge from Burnley defender James Tarkowski during the 3-1 victory and the Brazilian was no stranger to enduring a heavy tackle, though one particularly salient tackle stood out.
The challenge provoked an angry reaction from several of the players, with club captain Seamus Coleman attracting praise for getting directly involved in the scuffle.
Michael Ball was one pundit left bemused and impressed with Coleman’s intervention.
“[Richarlison] does get kicked and it’s great to see Seamus Coleman protecting him, being the leader. All the players started gathering together after the first challenge,” the pundit wrote on the Liverpool Echo website.
“Richarlison is massively key for us and I’m surprised at the referee Martin Atkinson (well, I’m not surprised) that there wasn’t even a word or a whisper to Tarkowski, no ‘watch yourself’, no booking.
“The players around Richarlison need to get in the referee’s ear because he’s not getting the protection from referees that’s needed and Rafa will come out in the media to protect Richy too.
“If Richy hadn’t touched the ball that could have been a horror tackle and we don’t want to be seeing that. He’s gone in, lost control of his body and he’s very lucky.”
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Coleman’s reaction to the incident is a fine testament to his desire to take charge and stick up for his teammates.
Even if the referee failed to hold Tarkowski accountable in his view, Coleman’s fervour for on-pitch justice has to be admired.
