Everton badge, James Tarkowski
Everton defender James Tarkowski. (Credit: Imago)
Rahul Lakhani
Thu 3 April 2025 18:11, UK
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat in the latest Merseyside derby against Liverpool on Wednesday, with James Tarkowski still in the headlines.
Tarkowski made himself the hero in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park as he scored a last-minute equaliser against the Reds.
The defender then made the headlines again in the derby, but for a very different reason at Anfield.
The centre-back escaped a red card for a dangerous tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, with the PGMOL stating after the game that Tarkowski should have been sent off, in yet another high-profile error.
Tarkowski was lucky to escape a sending-off against Liverpool (Credit: Imago)
Richard Keys slams PGMOL after Tarkowski announcement
In the wake of the announcement that the referee and VAR team had made the incorrect decision in the derby, Richard Keys expressed his disgust at the processes involved.
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Writing on X, he said: “So the PGMOL have admitted what the rest of the world knew last night – that Tarkowski should be been sent off. Why are these basic errors happening week after week?
Stat James Tarkowski
Appearances 31
Goals 1
Assists 1
Yellow cards 5
James Tarkowski for Everton this season
“Villa should’ve had a pen at Brighton. Why aren’t standards improving? It’s scary how poor our guys are.”
Tarkowski was awarded a yellow card for his challenge, which saw him make contact with the ball before his studs collided with Mac Allister’s leg in a high and dangerous position.
So the PGMOL have admitted what the rest of the world knew last night – that Tarkowski should be been sent off. Why are these basic errors happening week after week? Villa should’ve had a pen at Brighton. Why aren’t standards improving? It’s scary how poor our guys are.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) April 3, 2025
Tarkowski red card escape helps maintain record
Tarkowski was a relieved man after he was not awarded a red card for the tackle, and this also meant he maintained a surprising personal record.
The 32-year-old has now received 63 yellow cards in his Premier League career, but he has never received a red card, as per Opta.
This makes him the player with the joint-most yellow cards in Premier League history without ever receiving a red card, tied with former Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu.
Tarkowski has been a consistent figure for Everton this season, but perhaps he should have seen red for his challenge.
While it can be argued that he won the ball initially, his follow-through was dangerous and could have injured Mac Allister, and he was lucky not to be dismissed.
All eyes now quickly move to Arsenal next up at Goodison Park.
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