Everton contact PGMOL board over referee Stuart Attwell’s display during defeat at Liverpool

Everton contact PGMOL board over referee Stuart Attwell’s display during Merseyside derby defeat at Liverpool – with Toffees unhappy over second-half non-penalty call on Anthony Gordon following Joel Matip’s challenge

Everton have contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Board with concerns over some of the refereeing in their 2-0 derby defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

It is understood the club are unhappy that the second-half incident involving their forward Anthony Gordon, who had previously been booked for diving, and Liverpool defender Joel Matip was not given due consideration.

Referee Stuart Attwell decided no penalty should be awarded and there appeared to be no VAR check afterwards as the game continued at 0-0.

Anthony Gordon (left) wasn’t given a penalty following this collision with Joel Matip on Sunday

Everton have complained to the Professional Game Match Officials Board over Stuart Attwell

Everton have complained to the Professional Game Match Officials Board over Stuart Attwell

Frank Lampard accused referee Attwell of favouritism after Everton's 2-0 loss at Liverpool

Frank Lampard accused referee Attwell of favouritism after Everton’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool

Manager Frank Lampard said after the game he felt it should have been a spot-kick – and that it would have been given at the other end for Liverpool – and that is the consensus within the Everton hierarchy.

The Athletic have reported that the FA have asked the Toffees manager to explain his post-match comments about Attwell.  

After the defeat which left them inside the relegation zone with six games remaining, Lampard said: ‘It was a penalty. If that was Mo Salah at the other end, he gets a penalty.

‘You don’t get them here (Anfield). That’s the reality of football sometimes.

Lampard (centre) has been asked to explain his comments about referee Attwell

Lampard (centre) has been asked to explain his comments about referee Attwell

‘If you look back with that on VAR, there’s questionable things going on, maybe that’s to be expected when you come here.’

Last month the club received an apology, following another official complaint, from PGMOL chief Mike Riley following the failure to award a handball against Rodri in the home defeat by Manchester City.

On that occasion referee Paul Tierney was unsighted and the VAR, Chris Kavanagh, decided there was insufficient evidence to show the ball had hit the City midfielder on the arm despite television replays being fairly conclusive.

Everton dropped into the relegation zone on Sunday and are now two points from safety.

Man City midfielder Rodri handled the ball, but the referee nor VAR penalised the infringement

Man City midfielder Rodri handled the ball, but the referee nor VAR penalised the infringement

But the Toffees received an apology from PGMOL chief Mike Riley over the incident

But the Toffees received an apology from PGMOL chief Mike Riley over the incident

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