'I never disrespected' the referee, says Ancelotti on red card offence

Cape Town - Carlo Ancelotti has denied disrespecting the referee after his Everton side were denied a last-gasp winner against Manchester United.

Sunday's Premier League encounter ended 1-1 at Goodison Park, where the match finished as crazily as it had begun.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the Toffees a third-minute lead when blocking David De Gea's lackadaisical clearance, before opposite number Jordan Pickford's poor positioning allowed Bruno Fernandes to level in front of Gareth Southgate.

The England goalkeeper made amends with a superb stop from substitute Odion Ighalo as full-time approached and De Gea pulled off a fine save of his own before Calvert-Lewin sent Goodison Park wild with what appeared to be a stoppage-time winner.

But a seated Gylfi Sigurdsson was ruled offside by video assistant referee Jon Moss when the shot deflected in off Harry Maguire, and incandescent Everton boss Ancelotti was given a red card upon the final whistle.

Calvert-Lewin was shown the contentious VAR decision moments before giving Sky Sports his post-match interview, with his immediate reaction being: "That is a disaster. Oh my gosh. He's not even obstructing the line of sight."

Ancelotti marched onto the field at full-time and was shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh for his remonstrations, although he had a more civil conversation with the official once the emotions had settled.

"Honestly, it was a difficult decision," the Italian said. "I think they check the position of Gylfi - that was offside.

"But in our opinion, it didn't affect the vision of the goalkeeper. In their opinion, it affected the vision and the movement of the goalkeeper.

"My opinion is a really difficult decision."

Asked if he had been sent off before as a manager, Ancelotti said with a laugh: "It is not the first time - and will not be the last!

"I never disrespected. It can happen.

"At the end of the game, I was a little bit nervous and maybe the referee also.

"We spoke friendly after the game. No problem.

"If I am banned, I will be disappointed but the stand of Stamford Bridge (where Everton play next weekend) is really close to the bench so I will be there."

- TEAMtalk media