This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland has described how hurt Richarlison was following the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.
What did he say?
Everton failed to build on their impressive result against West Ham United and fell to yet another loss in the Premier League at the weekend. The Blues went behind early on, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s third league goal of the season put Marco Silva’s side 2-1 up before the disaster unfolded.
A controversial VAR decision on Michael Keane and an unfortunate own goal from Lucas Digne in the 94th minute dropped all points for the Toffees for the sixth time this season.
One man who seemed to be visibly seething by the result was Richarlison.
Describing the post-match scenes, Boyland wrote for The Athletic: “Richarlison strode towards the team bus with a face like thunder, visibly frustrated by what he had just witnessed.”
The Toffees having no luck
This time around for Everton it’s not just about the fact they dropped all three points, it’s the manner in which they lost them. The VAR call on Keane was harsh to say the least, as he looked to accidentally step on Aaron Connolly’s foot.
Plus, the own goal from Digne in the dying seconds was desperately unlucky, as he attempted to clear the ball away. Then you consider the fact Bernard could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of the injury he sustained in the game, and it really is a bleak outlook for the Toffees.
Richarlison was, as Boyland mentioned, furious at the decisions late on. The Brazilian even had his goal taken off him when his header came off Adam Webster for the equaliser.
The frustration could be mounting up on the 5ft 10 attacker, who looked like he may just be returning to form as of late. His two goals in the season so far have been far from what he can do for the Toffees, and Silva needs to hope he can return to top form very soon.
That he was so visibly angered by the result at least offers the Everton supporters an insight into how much the result hurt him, and that should at least serve as a positive indicator about his mentality.
Once again, Everton are two points away from the drop zone and, with pressure beginning to rise, one gets the feeling that Silva simply cannot afford many more defeats.