Chris Kavanagh was in charge of a feisty affair as Everton suffered defeat in the Merseyside derby last time out.
The 40-year-old received criticism from Everton fans for failing to book Virgil van Dijk after a rough challenge on Idrissa Gueye, making matters worse as he did opt to show Jordan Pickford a yellow card for complaining.
David Moyes also questioned Kavanagh, feeling that Everton should have had a penalty after Curtis Jones tripped Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Everton fans will now potentially have an even stronger dislike of Kavanagh after Ref Cam footage showed the official mocking James Tarkowski.
Were Everton robbed of a penalty on Dewsbury-Hall? 😫
Another Chris Kavanagh decision going against the Blues… 😡
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is challenged by Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool
Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
Chris Kavanagh asks James Tarkowski if he plans to take up refereeing
After the England international argued with Kavanagh following a collision between Alexis Mac Allister and Vitalii Mykolenko, the referee aimed a sarcastic remark having grown frustrated at the complaints.
The man born in Ashton-under-Lyne said: “Are you going to take the whistle when you retire you or what?”
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It was a bit of an unprofessional comment from Kavanagh, especially as emotions were running high among the players on Merseyside derby day, and Tarkowski had every right to complain about the challenge.
This sort of attitude, along with Kavanagh being overly chummy with Liverpool players – calling Van Dijk “Virg” for example – will hardly make him more liked amongst the Everton fanbase after a frustrating refereeing performance in the Merseyside derby.
Had the Liverpool No.4 received a yellow card for that aforementioned challenge on Gueye early on – as he should have – it would most likely have made for a very different game, with the Dutchman walking a tightrope for over an hour.
However, Kavanagh was far too lenient towards Liverpool, failing to show any consistency with that approach either by hastily booking Pickford.
Don’t hold back, let us know who you want gone this summer 👋
Thierno Barry of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Tyler Dibling of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. Carlos Alcaraz appears after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Carl Recine/Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto.
Had he been more consistent towards both sets of players, perhaps Kavanagh would have then earned the right to make jokes, but we doubt Tarkowski saw the funny side of his remark.
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