Christian Norgaard was shown a straight red card for a knee-high challenge on Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford believes he was lucky not to get ‘badly hurt’ after finding himself on the end of a crunching challenge from Christian Norgaard. The Brentford captain was shown a straight red card for a knee-high tackle on the Everton goalkeeper four minutes before the interval.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded a goal kick to the Blues after the midfielder clattered into the England international, before he was advised to go over to the pitchside monitor to review the tackle. After watching a couple of replays, the match official returned to the field of play and showed the Bees skipper a straight red card, much to the surprise of his team-mates and manager Thomas Frank.
Addressing the challenge and red card that followed after the game, Pickford said: “I don’t think he meant it, he spoke to me after the game, and he’s been respectful. He’s not tried to leave one on me. His foot is high, I’m lucky to not get badly hurt.”
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Sean Dyche’s side had 27 shots against the Bees, who had previously lost all five of their away league games this season, but only managed five on target. And, as a result of the goalless draw, jeers from Blues supporters greeted the full-time whistle.
“We started well, created chances early and suffocated them,” Pickford said, reflecting on his side’s performance.
“When they went down to 10 men, they dropped into a shape and we wanted that goal. 10 or 11 men, they are a tough team to beat. We wanted three points, but we got a clean sheet.
“Every game is tough in the Premier League. There are games fans expect you to win. I never look at the schedule, it’s about the next game. They’re going to get frustrated, but we aren’t losing the games we were at the start of the season.”
