James Tarkowski equalled an interesting record after his forceful challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Tarkowski, 32, is not afraid to put in what some may describe as an old-fashioned challenge when he feels the opportunity presents itself and this was the case on Wednesday.
The Everton captain appeared to follow through on Mac Allister, 26, after clearing the ball with Gary Neville, who was commentating for Sky Sports, describing the challenge as a “potential leg breaker”.
“He got the ball but he knew what he was doing,” said Neville. “He is lucky… It is a horrible tackle. He did not need to follow through like that.”
“We hear that Mike Dean, who is on the panel with Sky Sports News tonight, has concurred with you Gary,” Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury said.
“He’s said that, in his view, it should have been reviewed and it should have been a red card.”
However, to the surprise of many, the Everton skipper received a yellow card despite the challenge being checked by VAR.
Shortly after, the Premier League released a statement on X.
“The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless,” read the statement.
And depending on the team you support, you may be thinking the challenge warranted a red card. But due to him only receiving a yellow card, the 32-year-old centre-back equalled a Premier League record.
OptaJoe posted: “James Tarkowski now has the joint most yellow cards without ever being sent off in Premier League history (63). Physical.”
During the half-time interval, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-Everton forward Duncan Ferguson agreed that Tarkowski should’ve been given his marching orders by referee Sam Barrott.
“It’s a shocking tackle, it’s not really up for debate,” said Carragher when speaking on Sky Sports.
“Tarkowski knows what he’s doing there. He’s got previous for Burnley against Everton. The referee should give it on the pitch, for Tierney to not give as the VAR is shocking.”
