Angry Carlo facing ban
Ancelotti sent off after drama at Goodison
VAR claimed its most unlikely victim as it momentarily made the most cordial man in football seem like he needed a course in anger management. Carlo Ancelotti was sent off as Everton’s draw with Manchester United ended amid the soundtrack of the season, jeers for the technology, when Harry Maguire was spared the indignity of scoring a decisive injury-time own goal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson was judged to be offside by the video assistant referee as he interfered with goalkeeper David De Gea’s line of vision – a contentious call because of its timing rather than legitimacy, as it was the last meaningful act of an entertaining draw.
Dominic Calvert-lewin’s deflected shot would probably have beaten De Gea regardless of Sigurdsson’s position, lying in front of the United keeper having just had his own attempt brilliantly saved. Nevertheless, the midfielder’s evasive action meant that, by the letter of the law, disallowing it was the most likely outcome, regardless of Ancelotti’s immediate fury as he marched on to the pitch to confront referee Chris Kavanagh. He was promptly shown the red card and ordered back to the tunnel.
Ancelotti’s ire did not extend beyond that initial response. “It is not the first time [I have been sent off ]. It will not be the last,” he said. “I asked for an explanation. I spoke to him calmly later in the dressing room. I did not disrespect him. We will see what he says in his report.
“I think it was a difficult decision.
The position of Gylfi was offside, but in our opinion it did not affect the vision of the goalkeeper. In their opinion it did.”
There was particular relief for De Gea. Despite a late save to deny Sigurdsson, he endured a poor afternoon, gifting Calvert-lewin the opening goal after three minutes, clearing the ball directly into the striker’s boot.
De Gea and opposite number Jordan Pickford had much in common; both culpable for goals before making amends with outstanding saves.
Their errors mean they have equalled each other’s unwanted records of being directly responsible for seven goals since the start of last season. The keepers’ performances were indicative of the state of their teams – the flaws remain a serious concern, yet there was as much to admire as criticise. That is why there was enthusiasm from both coaches for general performance, neither club’s ultimate aims for the season undermined by the draw.
It felt like they were playing for more than three points here. They were playing for the preservation of fresh hope, understanding how fragile that is. There is a miserable certainty being in the darkened tunnel where you can see no way out. When someone arrives promising a route to the light, there is a greater sense of anxiety alongside
the anticipation – especially when you have been let down so often before. That is why recent signs of renaissance at Goodison Park and Old Trafford are inevitably accompanied by caution.
The sight of De Gea with his head bowed after his early aberration certainly revived harrowing memories for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Of all the reference points for United’s progress, this fixture demands most scrutiny. Solskjaer described last season’s 4-0 defeat here as his lowest point as United manager. “A capitulation,” he said.
That made what immediately followed De Gea’s mistake reasonably satisfying to Solskjaer. It was not simply that the outstanding Bruno Fernandes equalised with a strike from 20 yards, which Pickford ought to have saved. The enthusiasm came from United’s reaction in a demanding environment.
Where last year – or even earlier this season – they would have wilted, this time they retaliated with such quality that when the equaliser came after 31 minutes it was inevitable.
Nemanja Matic had struck the bar and forced Pickford to save in the moments following Everton’s opener, and Fernandes was finding space in which to work. It made United tick and Solskjaer’s concern was that his side failed to make their superiority tell before Ancelotti was able to provoke Everton’s second-half response.
There was more aggression and intent in the hosts after the break, with Sigurdsson striking a post.
Pickford will hope watching England manager Gareth Southgate was still inside Goodison to see his late, courageous, close-range save to deny Odion Ighalo.
Everton thought they had won it before VAR muscled in, although it was Ancelotti who had the last word. “If I am banned I will be disappointed,” he said. “But if I cannot be on the touchline at Stamford Bridge next week, you can still see the pitch from the stands.”