KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL'S yellow card during yesterday's Merseyside derby was "nonsense", claims former Premier League ref Mark Halsey.
The Everton midfielder was booked on 78 minutes when referee Darren England judged him to have taken a free-kick too quickly.
With his side trailing Liverpool 2-1, the former Chelsea ace was looking to get the ball to Jack Grealish quickly.
But England, surprisingly, was having none of it - leaving Dewsbury-Hall incredulous as he brandished his yellow card.
Boss David Moyes laughed in disbelief on the touchline, while Grealish slammed the decision after the game.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Halsey sympathised with Everton.
The 64-year-old said: "Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's yellow card against Liverpool was absolutely nonsense.
"The Everton midfielder was cautioned by referee Darren England for taking a quick free-kick at Anfield after Jack Grealish was fouled by Curtis Jones.
"England is an international official but this was poor management and refereeing to issue a caution.
"I can understand why David Moyes and the Everton players were bemused by the incident.
"England should have allowed the game to flow. If he wasn’t happy with where the ball was placed, if it was moving or he’s not ready or in position then blow your whistle and ask the player to take it again."
Grealish, who received a yellow card of his own after the final whistle for complaining to England, told TNT Sports: "We couldn’t get the last goal and it was frustrating in the second half.
"They were trying to slow the game down at times. I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick.
"I don’t know where that rule has come in. Even the stoppage time, three minutes and one minute – I’ve never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years.
"There were frustrations with the referee. Sometimes you want to let the game go, I completely get that, but you can’t not give us something and then two seconds later one of their defenders goes down after getting touched in the back and he gives it.
"You come to these stadiums and the crowd are on them, I feel that they feel they have to give it.
"Kiernan is on four yellows now and he got one for taking a quick free-kick. We want to get the game going, we’re losing."
Moyes added: "Every quick free-kick had to be stopped and brought back for the whistle and then we get a booking for it. I find it quite unbelievable."
Liverpool went on to hold on for a 2-1 in, keeping them top with five wins from five.
Everton, meanwhile, are ninth with seven points.
The_Alpha13
0
got a dose of your own medicine and didn't like the taste. Will it change your perspective, I doubt it.
Farouk65
0
Go to Court if you are aggrieved 🔥🔥
pimaeinrst
0
don't mention Man united when we are talking about league
Mohamed868
1
Ynwa
Supadnrsty
2
Am a Liverpool supporter, Everton deserved a draw at least.
No need to lie with a straight face 😅😅😅
Dominic Yingariba
1
After election no campaign
Hotdlmopru
0
they the officials want liverpool to take the league past man utd you can see it since last season the way they are helping them, look at their game against Everton after 90 mns with o all the delayances the ref added only 3minutes but look at man United against chelsea they added 7minutes so that Chelsea can equalise
Yepcdkmnos
0
epl reffs are corrupt, they keep threatening players like that
dihlnors
2
Am a Liverpool supporter, Everton deserved a draw at least.
😅😅😅😅l don't think you are liverpool fan
Neadenpstu
1
Am a Liverpool supporter, Everton deserved a draw at least.
Governor8
3
Everton, Man City supporters and their families can go to their nearest police station and open a case otherwise shut up Liverpool 2-1 Everton
wuyclmnpz
2
someone try to support Grealish Man City's bench player....hu...hu
florenceloll
3
i agree. I've never seen a yellow card for that before. it was too much, too harsh
bro I bet is either you don't watch the match or you don't pay more attention.....I replied u because you a Liverpool fan...okay if you really focus on the match you will see that the ref have warned him when he did the same thing earlier
Widilmostz
1
Most English refs favour Liverpool same happened last season
Siwbep
2
i agree. I've never seen a yellow card for that before. it was too much, too harsh
I remember that are one similar quick free kick from Everton few min before that was called back and maybe they was already warn and why this time yellow card was given
fetceimoz
5
excuses excuses excuses, were they Everton players the only ones booked in the course of the game, grealish and moyes should just accept it, even if 10mins was added you would still see them complaining and LFC would still win the game just like in the Athletico game
Ciuelnopuy
1
calamity ex-ref is talking now because Everton was beaten.
caclouyz
4
though I am Liverpool fan,but Referee was wrong
mapbcelt
5
i agree. I've never seen a yellow card for that before. it was too much, too harsh