Hughes: Pickford deserved red

SOUTHAMPTON manager Mark Hughes claimed England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford should have been sent off for a second half challenge on Danny Ings that left the Saints striker with a ripped shirt that needed to be changed and marks on his back, writes Joe Bernstein.

Pickford came out aggressively to the edge of his box to challenge Ings and clear danger midway through the second half of Everton’s 2-1 win.

Referee Lee Mason took no action as the goalkeeper’s boot caught Ings on the back (right), believing the player had won the ball first.

But Hughes, already miffed that five of his players had been booked, said: ‘Their keeper should have been sent off for the challenge on Danny. They had a man sent off for less last week (Phil Jagielka at Wolves). You saw the state of Ings’ shirt. Clearly there is contact. The referee was there. The linesman has a lot of experience. My assistant has been in to see the referee. We will look back on it, I didn’t feel he needed to follow through.’