James Garner picked up his tenth yellow card of the Premier League season as Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat against West Ham inside the London Stadium.
It led many Everton supporters – and fans of Fantasy Premier League – to question whether the England international will now miss the next two games, which is what can typically happen when a player accumulates ten yellow cards in one season.
However, James Garner has just managed to avoid a ban thanks to the cut-off point.
Who was Everton’s worst player in the defeat against West Ham? 🫣
West Ham United v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Everton can count on James Garner in final four games and also have no need to worry about three-game ban
Fortunately for David Moyes, the Premier League wipe the slate clean after 32 games.
Had Garner received his tenth yellow card before or during the 32nd fixture, he would have received a two-game ban.
However, the fact it came during the 34th match of the campaign means the Everton No.37 is safe from suspension.
The Premier League do issue a three-match ban for those who accumulate 15 yellow cards in a single season, but with only four games remaining, it is physically impossible for Garner, who is set to go to the World Cup, to pick up five more yellow cards in that space of time.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
The 25-year-old could of course receive two bookings in one match, but would then receive a one-game ban to rule him out of the next fixture and put an end to any chance of hitting 15 yellow cards for the season.
No Everton player has received more yellow cards this season than Garner – who is now the most valuable figure at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tim Iroegbunam is the next closest with eight – so Moyes has nobody to worry about in terms of suspensions for bookings.
Can someone tell me why this wasn’t a penalty? 😤
A handball call on West Ham midfielder matheus fernandes against Everton.
Credit: GRV Media
Ten may seem like a lot of yellow cards for Garner, but having played all but six minutes of this Premier League season across both right-back and in midfield, he has actually done well not to receive the dreaded two-game ban.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox