Football: Ferguson compounds misery

Everton 1 Derby County

Steven Baker
Monday 16 February 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

HOWARD KENDALL criticised Duncan Ferguson after his new captain was sent off for the fourth time in his Goodison Park career. After only 16 minutes, the Everton striker lashed out at Paulo Wanchope inside the Derby area as the players challenged for the ball.

Ferguson was clearly being held back by the Costa Rican, but the referee, Steve Dunn, failed to give a penalty. However, he then showed Ferguson the red card after Wanchope crashed to the floor and writhed around in apparent agony.

To rub salt into Everton's wounds, Wanchope scored Derby's second goal as the Rams won 2-1 for only their third away victory of the season.

Kendall said: "I don't need to see it again. It was very clear that Duncan was pulled back in the area and he reacted to that. As far as I am concerned a penalty should have been given - and then Duncan sent off." Kendall refused to say what action, if any, will be taken against Ferguson.

Everton had a torrid first half, with Mickael Madar and Tony Grant limping off. Five minutes after Ferguson's dismissal, and with Everton still trying to reshape their side, Igor Stimac headed Gary Rowett's corner through goalkeeper Thomas Myhre's hands for his first goal of the season.

Derby moved closer to victory five minutes after the interval, when Wanchope tapped the ball home from close range after a four-man move had cut the Everton defence apart.

An overhead kick from Claus Thomsen brought him his first goal for Everton and gave them late hope of snatching a draw, but Derby were able to hang on.

Goals: Stimac ( 21) 0-1; Wanchope (50) 0-2; Thomsen (85) 1-2.

Everton (4-4-2): Myhre; Thomas, Short (Bilic, 81), Watson, Tiler; Ball, Farrelly, Grant (Thomsen, 38), Oster; Madar (Cadamarteri, 14), Ferguson. Substitutes not used: Allen, Gerrard (gk).

Derby County (4-4-2): Poom; Rowett, C Powell, Stimac, Sturridge; Wanchope, Delap, Willems (D Powell 72), Carsley; Eranio, Dailly. Substitutes not used: Bridge-Wilkinson, Elliot, Kozluk, Hoult (gk).

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Bookings: Derby D Powell, Eranio, Stimac. Sent off: Everton Ferguson.

Man of the match: Stimac.

Attendance: 34,876.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in