Jordan Pickford has admitted his attempts to get Aleksandar Mitrovic sent off for a late challenge on Idrissa Gueye failed but refused to criticise the on-field decision made by referee John Brookes during Saturday's Premier League draw between Fulham and Everton.
There were strong appeals from members of the Blues' squad after the Fulham forward caught Gueye's right ankle with a studs-up challenge that left the midfielder in discomfort on the ground. Frank Lampard voiced his frustration at this tackle following the full-time whistle, insisting the Serbian should have seen red.
The ECHO understands Mitrovic's tackle was checked by VAR for a potential sending off but the fact that the challenge was low and came from close proximity to Gueye meant the intensity was apparently not sufficient to warrant the referee to check the monitor.
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Offering his assessment of this first-half flashpoint, Pickford told Sky Sports: "I haven't seen it since. It is what it is. I tried to get in the fourth official's ear a little bit but it didn't work. It is a game of football, there are going to be challenges and that's what the referees are there to do. It's not for the players to judge."
Everton's shot-stopper was in fine form throughout the contest at Craven Cottage, denying the likes of Mitrovic and Willian in dangerous areas of the pitch. The former registered a total of ten shots during the match, the most any player has fashioned without scoring in a single Premier League match this season, but continued to be thwarted by England's No.1.
Pleased with the part he played in the Blues' point gained, Pickford stated: "I said in my interview before the game we needed to get a result. They are a good side and we know Mitrovic is a good player, who is going to work the backline all the time. When called upon, I said I would be there to make the saves. I thought I did that tonight.
"To get a point away from home is always good and to keep a clean sheet is always good as well. We could have maybe got something more out of the game but I think that's us just wanting to get better and better each time we play. We want perfection, but you will never be perfect in a football match.
"I think I made some good saves and I've worked hard all week. I say that all the time - I work all week to put in a performance when I need to. I felt I did that today and I'm happy with the clean sheet. A clean sheet is a positive from where we were last season, struggling away from home. We are picking up some points away from home so it has got to be pleasing."
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