JORDAN PICKFORD escaped punishment AGAIN after a wild kick on Harry Maguire in the box during Everton’s 3-1 defeat against Manchester United.
But the Red Devils skipper insists it wasn’t a penalty as he pushed the keeper first.
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Jordan Pickford escaped punishment for this challenge on Harry Maguire
The England pair clashed after the incident Credit: Getty – Pool
The Toffees stopper recently dodged trouble after ending Virgil van Dijk’s season in the Merseyside derby and fans are furious that he got away with one again.
Former referee turned BT Sport pundit Peter Walton said: “I thought it was foul and it should have been looked at again for a penalty kick.”
Pickford spilled the ball, and as he attempted to clear he connected with the England centre-back with a flailing leg.
Replays show Maguire with his hand on the Three Lions keeper as he tried to catch the high ball but contact appeared minimal.
The England pair clashed after the incident, and despite calls for a United penalty, nothing was given.
But Maguire said after the final whistle that he DIDN’T think it was a penalty.
He told Man United’s website: “I personally don’t think it was [a penalty].
“I felt like I probably pushed Jordan before, I know everyone’s probably trying to jump on him dropping the ball but I did feel like I pushed him.
“I’d say [a penalty] would have been a little bit soft.”.
However, SunSport’s refereeing expert Mark Halsey thinks Pickford was extremely fortunate.
He said: “Jordan Pickford is very lucky that referee Paul Tierney did not award a penalty for his collision with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
“You could argue that it is a foul, and had Tierney given the penalty, no one would have argued and VAR would not have overturned the decision.
“But it is a subjective call, and VAR official Michael Oliver did not see Tierney’s decision as a clear and obvious error.
“But you could see in Pickford’s face he knew he got away with one, and he and teammate Michael Keane, who was also involved in the incident, should feel lucky that Tierney did not see that as a penalty.”
Supporters were also quick to slam Pickford and the officials on Twitter.
Kieran wrote: “It’s genuinely unbelievable that Pickford keeps getting away with all of this.”
Another added: “Good to see England internationals being kept in their ‘that’s not a foul’ bubble. It’s a foul and Maguire makes most of it.”
Jamie chipped in with: “Punters saying Pickford was pushed are having a laugh.
“He is an awful keeper who misjudged a cross and then panicked, fouling Maguire.”
And Ago quipped: “Just because Maguire pushed Pickford beforehand doesn’t mean he can karate kick him in the gut.
“This is the VVD incident all over again.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
