Frustrated Silva has no sympathy for Richarlison over dismissal

Everton manager Marco Silva admitted his disappointment with winger Richarlison after his sending-off in today’s 2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth.

The Brazilian received a straight red card shortly before the break for a clash of heads with the Cherries’ full-back Adam Smith, who was also later sent off for a professional foul.

While some cited an overreaction from Smith as the reason for referee Lee Probert brandishing a red card, there was definite contact between the two players’ heads, even if not a blatant headbutt. Silva accepted that he could see the decision coming.

Speaking in his press conference after the game, in which Everton let a two-goal lead slip, Silva would not accept the inexperience of Richarlison, 21, as an excuse. He said:

“[The red card] is something Richarlison and every player in our squad cannot do.

“If you are 18, 19, 20, 22 or 23...if somebody provoked you or not,,, I don’t like my players to do that.”

After second-half goals from Theo Walcott and Michael Keane, who was stretchered off in injury time, raced the Toffees into a 2-0 lead, a Joshua King penalty and a Nathan Ake equaliser meant Everton had to settle for a point.

Silva was understandably frustrated with his side’s inability to see the game out, adding:

“Of course, I’m not happy with a point. We were fantastic in those first 25 mins of the second half. We scored two good goals and it looked like we had the game in our hands and that is the moment we had to control the game”

Despite being just the third game of the new campaign, this was the second time this season that Everton had to contend with a first-half red card. Central defender Phil Jagielka was sent off at Wolverhampton on the opening day, which also ended in a 2-2 draw.

Richarlison’s three-match suspension will include Wednesday’s visit of Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup, as well as the home league games against Huddersfield Town next Saturday and West Ham United on September 16.