The Premier League disciplinary rules of implementing a one-game suspension for accumulation of five yellow cards could cause some trouble for Everton this weekend as they visit AFC Bournemouth.
Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have all picked up four bookings already this season, and will continue to walk the tightrope on Saturday on the South Coast. The suspension usually resets after Premier League Matchweek 19, but with the Toffees’ home leg of the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool last month getting postponed, the club only play their 19th game of the season against the Cherries and thereby the England #1 and the stand-in captain will both have to be on their best behaviour.
Both players picked up yellow cards in Sunday’s home defeat against Nottingham Forest, with Pickford hoofing the ball away in frustration late on while Tarkowski can argue that his booking was undeserved following a heavy but fair looking challenge on Chris Wood early in the game. Keane’s last action was in the away defeat at Southampton, with Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to fitness sending the veteran to the bench.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Should either of the pair or indeed Keane get booked on Saturday, then they will be slated to miss the FA Cup Third Round game next Thursday January 9th against League One side Peterborough United at Goodison Park.
With Sean Dyche expected to ring the changes for that game anyway, it might not be the worst thing if either of Pickford or Tarkowski do get a yellow card this weekend. The veteran defender in particular has looked slow and error-prone this season and could use a rest.
