---
title: "Everton: Tony Cascarino shocked by Jordan Pickford challenge on Virgil van Dijk"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tony-cascarino-shocked-by-jordan-pickford-challenge-on-virgil-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Everton"
published: "2020-10-18T15:10:19Z"
modified: "2020-10-18T15:10:19Z"
---

# Everton: Tony Cascarino shocked by Jordan Pickford challenge on Virgil van Dijk

**Tony Cascarino was left shocked by [Jordan Pickford](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-fans-react-pickford-tackle-van-dijk-var-decision/)‘s challenge on Virgil Van Dijk in the Merseyside derby yesterday.**

The Everton goalkeeper ended up injuring the Liverpool defender as he was forced off early in the first half when the score was 1-0 to Jurgen Klopp’s team thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane.

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VAR [reportedly](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-fans-react-pickford-tackle-van-dijk-var-decision/) checked the challenge made by Pickford on Van Dijk but did not deem it to be a red card and instead the England international was allowed to carry on.

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Speaking to [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/775472/), Cascarino expressed his shock when he was asked about the challenge:

*“The challenge… just, wow! We give yellow cards so readily and so quickly for minor incidents, and then you see a tackle that is as bad as the one Roy Keane did on Alf-Inge Haaland,”* said the former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland forward.

*“It was just horrendous!*

*“We talk about dangerous tackles and two-footing and lunging in and being reckless – Jordan Pickford was everything as bad as it could be.*

*“I don’t think you can ever say it’s intentional – only the player can answer that – but if you are going to throw yourself, launch yourself, at somebody out of control…*

*“When I saw it I thought, ‘wow!'”*

### Jordan Pickford was not sent off

Indeed, VAR official David Coote did not deem the challenge by Pickford to be a red card offence, despite Cascarino’s shock at how ‘horrendous’ it looked.

The pundit claimed that the tackle was as bad as that of former Manchester United midfielder [Roy Keane](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_st29mlQwU) on Alf-Inge Haaland in the Manchester derby in 2001, which the Irishman [later admitted](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/aug/24/sport.comment) was premeditated.

### Would a red card for Jordan Pickford have changed the game?

With Carlo Ancelotti’s team already 1-0 down, a red card so early on for Pickford could have changed the whole balance of the game, with the match ultimately finishing 2-2.

Luckily for the Toffees, the 26-year-old was allowed to stay on the pitch and in the end they battled for a point, having been behind twice in the game.

***Evertonians, should Pickford have been sent off? Comment below with your views!***