The Premier League have confirmed that a total of four red cards were brandished after the full-time whistle as the last-ever Merseyside derby to be held at Goodison Park finished in utter chaos.
Tempers flared on the pitch following James Tarkowski’s dramatic 98th-minute goal that secured a last-gasp point for resurgent Everton against fierce rivals Liverpool on Wednesday night, with an ugly scrap between both sets of players sparked by a furious melee between Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Jones appeared to take exception to Doucoure celebrating Everton’s late equaliser in front of the travelling Liverpool fans, with both players then involved in a furious bust-up that saw them each receive second yellow cards from referee Michael Oliver.
Liverpool were seething that Tarkowski’s goal - which stood after a long VAR check - was not ruled out for a challenge by Beto on Ibrahima Konate, leading to furious protests from manager Arne Slot, who was shown a straight red card by Oliver after the second yellows for Jones and Doucoure.
The Premier League’s Match Centre have also now confirmed that Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff was also given his marching orders as carnage reigned during a stormy finish to proceedings at Goodison.
“The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure following an altercation after the final whistle,” they said in a statement.
“Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle.”
More to follow
