Coach Lampard unhappy with referee after Brentford loss

LONDON: Everton manager Frank Lampard says his side have been “on the wrong end of a lot of bad decisions this season” ater the nine-man Toffees were beaten by Brenford 3-2 at Goodison Park.

Leeds’ draw at home to Brighton earlier on Sunday meant victory for Lampard’s team would have secured their top-flight status with two games to spare, but the narrow loss leaves them just two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley and one above Jesse Marsch’s side, who have played a game more.

Dominic Calvert-lewin got the faintest of touches to Richarlison’s flick to give the hosts an early lead, but the dismissal of teenage defender Jarrad Branthwaite - which came moments ater Richarlison’s appeals for a penalty for a foul by Kristoffer Ajer were turned down — swung the momentum back in the visitors’ favour.

“When you see that shirt pull [on Richarlison], that’s a foul anywhere on the pitch,” said Lampard, who is facing an FA hearing over comments made in the atermath of last month’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

“This ‘clear and obvious’ phrase, I don’t know if it still counts but I think it’s a nonsense. The decision is either right or wrong. Is a shirt pull a foul? Yes. Is it in the box? Yes. It’s a penalty.”

A Richarlison spot-kick in first-half stoppage time restored Everton’s advantage ater Seamus Coleman’s own goal had levelled for the Bees, but Brenford dominated the second half and deservedly turned the game on its head through headers from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry.

The Toffees contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) ater the Liverpool defeat to query why referee Stuart Atwell did not penalise a challenge on Anthony Gordon.

“It’s hard,” Lampard continued. “I have to represent the club, represent the fans that come here, and those small margins can affect our position.

“I do believe that penalty for the shirt pull means maybe 2-0 and 11 men, and I think we all know how that game goes.”

The Toffees’ woes were compounded late on when substitute Salomon Rondon was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Henry, but Lampard’s side will be safe if they beat Crystal Palace at home on Thursday evening.

Brenford host Leeds United next Sunday in the final game of the season for both teams, with the Elland Road side also facing the threat of relegation.

“It was a batle. The manager said we had to match the intensity and that’s what we did,” Henry told Sky Sports.