The major talking point coming out of Everton’s Merseyside Derby loss to Liverpool was James Tarkowski’s controversial challenge.
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister may feel fortunate not to have sustained any serious injury following the tackle from Tarkowski.
It was certainly a hearty challenge from the Everton defender whose follow-through caught the Argentine high up on his leg.
However, a quick VAR check stuck with Sam Barrott’s on-field decision to only show the 32-year-old a yellow card.
After getting to watch the incident back during the break, Tarkowski was spotted apologising to Mac Allister after the game.
The yellow card did, however, see the defender make history after avoiding the sending off.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton’s James Tarkowski makes Premier League history
That was not the only controversial decision made on the evening at Anfield.
Mark Clattenburg thinks Luis Diaz was offside for Liverpool’s goal that secured all three points for the Reds.
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But it was the challenge from Tarkowski which has become the major talking point from the game with Mac Allister perhaps fortunate to walk away from it.
The yellow card shown to Tarkowski was his 63rd in the Premier League which is now the joint-highest number without receiving a sending off.
Tarkowski will certainly consider himself extremely fortunate not to have been sent for an early shower.
But there has to be some credit handed to the 32-year-old for his overall discipline which has prevented him from receiving a red card.
Arne Slot praised Everton’s defensive work after the game as he suggested other sides would even struggle to break through the Toffees.
However, it could have been a completely different story had Tarkowski have been sent off in the early stages of the game.
What James Tarkowski said about his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister
The defender actually bigged himself up ahead of the game as Tarkowski said he was a better player than Richarlison.
There was a real lack of finesse with his challenge on Wednesday night, and he was quick to acknowledge that he was fortunate to escape the red card.
Seeing that the incident has put Tarkowski in the history books for a positive reason will only rub salt in the wound of those at Anfield.
Speaking to Optus Sport after the game, the defender spoke about his controversial challenge on Mac Allister.
“Yeah, I spoke to him and apologized because it’s not a great tackle,” Tarkowski said.
“When the ball fell between us, I actually thought he was just going to come and I was expecting a big old school 50/50 tackle.
“He just pulled out of the tackle, and as I lunged in, I caught him pretty high, so I’ve apologized to him and he’s accepted it, so yeah, not a great one from me.”