Thomas Frank claimed his Brentford side were able to reduce the impact of the Goodison Park home crowd with the way they played and even some of Everton’s players did not think Christian Norgaard should have been sent off
Thomas Frank hailed the way his 10-man Brentford side played to nullify the volume at “fantastic” Goodison Park. And he claimed that the reaction of Everton’s players proved that his captain Christian Norgaard should not have been sent off.
Norgaard was given his marching orders in the 41st minute following a challenge on home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after referee Chris Kavanagh was invited by VAR to review the incident on his pitchside monitor but the Blues were unable to take advantage, with the Bees holding out for a goalless draw to claim their first away point of the season.
Brentford boss Frank said: “It was very positive, no doubt about that. Overall, with a lot of circumstances, I thought we played a good game.
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“I think the first half was average, but we still created the biggest chance of the game, and I think we were brave on the ball, got more than a few passes and took a little bit of the noise out of Goodison, which is very difficult, it’s a fantastic place to play. In the second half, because of the red card, I thought we defended fantastic – the character, the mentality, the work ethic, the principles we are working on in terms of defending.
“We also had a few, good opportunities the other way. I think it was a well-deserved point, taking into account it was 10 v 11 for a long time.
“I felt it was a well-deserved point and we were fairly in control in the second half, as much as you can be when you’re fairly under pressure, I was very pleased.
“Of course we defended deep in spells but I thought we were brave. We still wanted, not only to break, but have a few passes that would take the pressure away from us.”
Kavanagh did not issue a card for the challenge on Pickford in normal time but went over to revisit the incident following a conversation with Matthew Donohue, who was on video duty back in Stockley Park. Frank disagreed with the decision and claimed even members of the Everton side did too.
He said: “For me, it is not a red card. I must admit after watching it back, I see a situation where it is coming across the six-yard box, Christian’s eyes are clearly on the ball, and he is stretching to try to touch it behind Wissa. Wissa is going at the ball, just changing the direction of the ball and Pickford is over here, moving across of course, trying to save the ball.
“Christian is unlucky as his studs are on the leg of Pickford. No intention, he is actually pulling out of full force there is no intention of making a foul, just trying to score.
“You can see the reaction from Tarkowski and Calvert-Lewin, who were close by. If they thought it was a red card instantly, I promise you they would have complained, just like we would have down the other end.
“Where is that that bit of common sense? I don’t know exactly what the law of the game is, but if the law of the game is that is a red card, then the game has changed.
“Either they need to take it into account, and they need to tell my players they can’t jump in and try to score when the ball is going across the six-yard box, which I think is not good. The ref has been told to take on-field decisions, and Chris (Kavanagh) took, in my opinion, a good on-field decision but was overturned by VAR.”
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The 51-year-old added: “If VAR is told studs on leg is a red card then we just need to make sure that is the procedure going forward, and we are very, very, very, very consistent with that going forward. If it is not the law or the rule then Chris was not brave enough to overturn the situation.
“On top of this, there were several Everton players after the game who were saying: ‘That is not a red card’. So, we will most likely appeal this.
“I don’t know if it’s the PGMOL who makes the law or if they’re following Howard Webb, we need to find out if that is the law going forward and as I said, the game has changed, and I don’t like it going that way. If it is not then the guys have to overturn it and if they don’t overturn it, they also have changed, so that’s my take on it.”
Frank himself was booked by Kavanagh in the aftermath of Norgaard’s sending off, but claimed that he was merely staring at those in charge. He said: “Yeah, I got a yellow card. In my opinion, I shouldn’t have got the yellow card.
“Of course I was frustrated but didn’t abuse the fourth official. Yes, my wife says I’ve got the evil eyes sometimes and I looked at Chris on the pitch and maybe pointed a bit, 40 yards away, but if that is enough for a yellow, then we’re also taking emotions out of the game.
“I’d understand if I was running in and abusing him (the officials) then I’d completely hold my hand up.”
