ANCELOTTI SEEKING TO BE BEST OF AN OKAY BUNCH
SHAW CLAIMS ATTWELL DUCKED PENALTY DECISION BUT CLUB SAY HE’S MISTAKEN
CARLO ANCELOTTI has improved Everton to such an extent they could finish above Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.
It says something about the form of the clubs chasing runaway leaders Manchester City that few of them are consistent and the Toffees are a prime example of a team who cannot enjoy an extended purple patch.
They should be on cloud nine after winning the Merseyside derby at Anfield last time out but that was only their second victory in eight matches.
Fortunately, tonight’s visitors are Southampton, who have registered just one win in their last 13 league games – against Jurgen Klopp’s underachievers.
They may be dragged into the relegation mix having have taken one point from 24. Everton must be backed to win at 23/10 with William Hill.
LUKE SHAW last night accused referee Stuart Attwell of failing to award Manchester United a penalty in their 0-0 draw at Chelsea because he was wary of the controversial reaction such a decision would generate.
After checking the pitchside monitor, Attwell (left) opted not to penalise Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi for handball in a firsthalf incident with United forward Marcus Greenwood at Stamford Bridge.
The visitors were dismayed at the decision and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer later argued rival managers are trying to influence officials to make decisions against his team and criticised Chelsea’s website for posting a story alleging United captain Harry Maguire puts undue pressure on referees.
In a post-match interview, full-back Shaw said: ‘I heard the ref say to H (Maguire) “if I give a pen, it’s going to cause a lot of talk afterwards”. H was told it was a pen by VAR.’ Solskjaer declined to confirm Shaw’s version of events, claiming if he did it would not show the referee in a good light.
Asked if it was a penalty, he replied: ‘Yes, 100 per cent. I don’t understand (why it was not given), not at all. When you look at it on the video, it’s taken two points away from us.’
Asked what Attwell reputedly said to Maguire, Solskjaer added: ‘I can’t say because it’s not going to be good for him. I don’t want to cause controversy but it’s not right.’
However, later United tried to play down the story, insisting Shaw had misheard what Attwell was said to have told Maguire.
Explaining his frustration with Chelsea, Solskjaer added: ‘The VAR talk before the game on Harry. It’s cheeky when they (Chelsea) put that on the website. That’s influencing referees.’
Yesterday’s otherwise uneventful draw left United second in the Premier League, 12 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.