The 'unsportsmanlike' act that everyone missed in EPL star's wonder goal

Everton coach Marco Silva is convinced the red card shown to Phil Jagielka in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves was harsh, but he might be even angrier when he realises where the resulting free kick was taken.

Jagielka was handed a straight red in the first half for what referee Craig Pawson deemed to be a reckless lunge, catching Diogo Jota on the ankle after a poor first touch in his own defensive third left the former England defender in trouble.

Ruben Neves scored from the resulting free-kick to cancel out Richarlison’s opener, however it was where he placed the ball for the kick that almost every football fan missed during the furore around the red card tackle.

Eagle-eyed analysts on Optus Sport’s coverage did take notice however, sharing proof of the potentially unsportsmanlike move from the Wolves.

Replays show Neves taking advantage of a distracted Pawson to steal a vital ‘eight yards’ for his free kick attempt.

“Phil Jagielka’s red card was warranted. The resulting freekick was placed about 8 yards from the actual incident,” Optus Sport wrote on Twitter.

“Unsportmanslike, referee error… or just clever?”

Neves then made the most of the superb free kick position, placing the ball perfectly into the top corner of the Everton net, leaving onlookers in awe.

However Everton showed admirable character to go ahead again in the second half – the Brazilian winger getting his second of the game.

Wolves ultimately rescued a draw through Raul Jimenez and Silva was left ruing Pawson’s decision.

“We came with one goal; to win the match,” Silva told BT Sport. “We started well, started to grow into the match. When we scored they reacted well.

“Until the moment of the red card, they didn’t have one chance to score. This is the truth.

“In that moment it is a harsh decision. Not really the right decision from the referee in that moment.

“Our second half was better, even with 10 men. We were organised well. Good speed I saw in our players, good organisation as well, and we [had] better chances to score. We had two, three chances to score.”

The match was Wolves’ first back in the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship and coach Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledges that his side were a little nervous at first.

“I’m satisfied with the way we came back and the character of the team,” he said.

“Of course there were a lot of things positive, but a lot of things negative. We made mistakes in the goals we conceded.

“I think we started a little bit nervous to be honest, overdoing a bit with some cross balls. I think the team reacted good and started to do the movements we should do.

“For the first game in the Premier League for many of us, it’s a good answer in the end. I think we are in a growing process as a team.

“I’m going to start learning now. [There are] positive things for the next game, definitely.”

Everton unearth a superstar

Two-goal Everton hero Richarlison has expressed thanks to “father figure” Marco Silva for giving him a platform to shine in the Premier League.

The Brazilian winger netted both of his new side’s goals in the 2-2 draw with Wolves at Molineux, the second coming despite Phil Jagielka’s earlier dismissal.

It was a performance befitting the £40 million ($51m) the Toffees reportedly paid to sign the 21-year-old from Watford, for whom Silva originally signed him 12 months ago.

The pair are now reunited at Everton and Richarlison was quick to thank his Portuguese manager for providing him with a Premier League opportunity.

“I’m very happy for the two goals. It was a very difficult match because we had to run double,” the former Fluminense man told BT Sport.

“We played with one less player after the red card and it was very difficult, but one point away… it’s a very important debut for me.

“I know my responsibilities and I know also the coach has given me freedom to play my football in attack, so I know what I have to do on the pitch. I’m very happy.

“I look to Marco like a father. He came to Brazil to bring me to England and I know I will be grateful for my life to Marco.”

Silva, meanwhile, insisted the hefty fee attached to Richarlison’s signing should have no bearing on the judgment of his performances.

“When a club pays money it’s because it’s his value in the market,” he said. “Like all the other players we sign it’s not because they are [worth] more or less money. We believe in all of them.

“He performed well like all of the squad. It’s important for him to score in our first match, his first official match in the shirt.”

With Omnisport