Gravesen hits back after Shearer's criticism

Thomas Gravesen, the Everton midfielder, has insisted that he never goes out to hurt an opponent amid claims he should have been sent off for a knee-high tackle on Newcastle's Olivier Bernard on Sunday.

The Dane has hit back at claims by the Magpies captain, Alan Shearer, that it was a "coward's challenge" and he was "trying to hurt" Bernard in Sunday's controversial Premiership clash at Goodison Park.

Gravesen's tackle on the French full-back was not penalised by the referee, Neale Barry, and play continued until Jonathan Woodgate fouled Kevin Campbell to give David Unsworth the chance to score the winner from the penalty spot.

The Newcastle manager, Sir Bobby Robson, and Shearer were furious after the 2-1 defeat which has almost ended their championship challenge, with Shearer saying that Gravesen, who had already been booked, should have received a red card.

But Gravesen said: "I never go into a tackle to injure a player. I felt it was a 50-50 situation with both of us eager to get the ball, although it did look bad when he fell. But I was trying to help him by signalling to get help from the touchline for him."

Expressing surprise at Robson and Shearer's outburst, Gravesen added: "They probably felt very let down because they had lost to us, they were frustrated." Gravesen – now booked eight times this season – has won support from his team-mate Steve Watson who said the official was close enough to see the incident and decided not to penalise Gravesen.

Watson said: "Whatever happened, happened in front of the referee, he was on top of it and didn't give it, it's as simple as that."

The Football Association was yesterday awaiting Barry's official report before deciding whether Gravesen's tackle should be referred to its video panel.It could prove a busy few days at Soho Square amid allegations that the Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia was hit by a coin thrown by a spectator as he left the pitch at Old Trafford on Saturday after being sent off in the match that Manchester United won 4-0.

"The FA is waiting to receive the match officials' reports from the respective matches before examining whether further action can and will be taken," an FA spokesman said yesterday.

Any retrospective punishment for Gravesen would come as little consolation to Newcastle, who had dragged themselves back into Sunday's game at Goodison Park when Laurent Robert's pile-driver cancelled out Wayne Rooney's header before the break.

Robson's side looked like keeping their challenge on track until, as Bernard fought for the ball just outside the Toffees' penalty area, the midfielder went over the top and planted his studs into the full-back's thigh.

The referee was close to the incident and looked back at the prostrate player several times as the game continued with the Everton manager, David Moyes, urging his side to put the ball out of play.

However, the action was not stopped until Campbell went down, and although Bernard was able to continue after treatment, Unsworth converted the resulting penalty which, despite a late flurry by the visitors, secured victory.