SILVA: DIVING ROW IS A JOKE

MARCO SILVA laughed off claims Richarlison should be the first Premier League player to be retrospectively banned for diving, after the Brazilian won a soft penalty.

Former referee and BT pundit Graham Poll insisted the £13million summer signing has to face a two-game sanction after “deceiving” referee Neil Swarbrick. The Preston official awarded the 71st-minute spot-kick after Hector Bellerin’s ill-judged challenge on Richarlison (above).

The Premier League have introduced the power to impose “simulation suspensions” this season, with a three-man panel reviewing controversial incidents.

Today the FA will review footage of the incident but there was contact between the players – however minimal – and it is unlikely they will take action.

Asked about the prospect of his striker making Premier League history by getting banned, Silva (above) said: “My reaction is to smile because you have to see again eight games in the Premier League. All the eight games in this Premier League and maybe you find 10 or 20 like this one.

“If the referee hadn’t given the penalty to us, I would have accepted it. It is a difficult moment for the referee, but don’t say it is a dive because it is not true.

“You have to remember that Richarlison is the player who has suffered more fouls than any other in the Premier League before today, and you need to protect talent.”

Troy Deeney added: “I’ve had numerous situations where I was bundled to the ground. I’m not having that it is a dive, I’m sorry.”

The summer buy from Fluminense looks like one of the signings of the season. Adrian Mariappa said: “He’s refreshing. He’s young, he plays with a freedom, aggression. But off the pitch he’s still such a nice kid. That’s why everyone warms to him so much, because he’s a vital part of the team.”

Next up for the fourth-placed Hornets is a trip to fifth-placed Chelsea. “We’ll go there with confidence and a lot of belief, and we’ll see what we can do,” Mariappa added.