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Abdul Fatawu’s red card adds to Ipswich’s frustration in defeat at Everton
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- Abdul Fatawu’s red card adds to Ipswich’s frustration in defeat at Everton
Abdul Fatawu 's dismissal after being shown a second yellow card for diving capped a frustrating afternoon for Ipswich in their 1-0 defeat at Everton .
Having gone behind to Thierno Barry 's deflected first-half goal, the visitors then had to chase the game with 10 men for nearly half an hour after the winger's ill-judged choice to throw himself to the ground as he went past James Garner .
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Referee Stuart Attwell ruled that was simulation and, having been booked in the first half for a foul on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall , dismissed the Ghanaian – although, surprisingly, that was not the most controversial decision by the official.
Having been alerted by VAR, he ruled out Barry's brilliantly-executed second-half header as Brennan Johnson was offside in front of Christian Walton , despite the goalkeeper being in the opposite half of the goal to where the ball entered the net.
That may have curtailed Barry's celebrations but he still proved to be the match-winner, although whether his diversion of the ball with his chest was a clever piece of quick thinking or just fortunate as he tried to get out of the way of James Tarkowski 's speculative 30-yard volley very much depends on which camp you are in regarding the 23-year-old.
He has five goals in all competitions this season so supporters will look at that as progress but he still has many who doubt whether he has the rigour or quality to succeed in the Premier League.
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That dichotomy was evident later in the first half when, unmarked inside the six-yard box, he planted a header wide when it seemed easier to score.
Yet the technique he produced to flick a delightful header inside the far post, having found half a yard inside a crowded six-yard box at a corner, showed there is talent there to be unlocked.
His goal extended Everton's unbeaten start to the season without the side really clicking into gear yet but their fifth position in the fledgling Premier League table is a good base to build from when David Moyes does start to get a tune out of them.
And there are signs that may yet come with improving form from the likes of Harrison Armstrong , restored to the starting line-up, and Tyler Dibling , who after impressing in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Wolves , could have had a goal and should definitely have had an assist after coming off the bench.
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And of course Barry, who continues to delight and frustrate Toffees fans in equal measure.
In the 11th minute Jack Clark's blind header dropped for Tarkowski to unleash a shot which appeared to be heading wide until it cannoned off Barry's chest.
Former Everton forward Leon Osman had no doubt in crediting the striker with a deliberate action but critics would say he was getting out of the way.
Johnson had missed a much easier chance earlier, while Emersonn and Fatawu both forced saves out of Jordan Pickford , with the latter also testing the England international from halfway.
Everton retreated into their shell somewhat but were re-energised by Dibling, who forced a good save out of Walton but could only watch as Dewsbury-Hall headed wide his inch-perfect cross.
