There had been 19 red cards in this fixture in the Prem – and Martin Atkinson has handed out 14 since the start of last season. Perhaps that combination was destined to produce the inevitable. Everton’s record in the derby has been poor, with only four points taken from the last nine matches. Tellingly, the Goodison Park leg of the derby had been 2-0 for the past three seasons – though last year’s was to them.

This post is for subscribers only

[ttt-subscribe-article]