Goodison Park witnessed a chaotic and controversial ending to its Premier League fixture on Wednesday night, as Everton saw two players sent off in quick succession during their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
VAR Intervention Sees Keane Dismissed for Hair Pull
The major flashpoint occurred in the 80th minute, involving Everton defender Michael Keane and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare. Initially, referee David Coote showed Keane only a yellow card for an incident involving the Wolves forward. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) advised an on-field review.
After consulting the pitchside monitor, the official overturned his original decision. The review clearly showed that Keane had pulled Arokodare's hair, which was deemed an act of violent conduct. The referee subsequently upgraded the sanction to a straight red card, dismissing Keane and awarding Wolves a direct free-kick.
The Premier League's official Match Centre on X confirmed the decision, stating: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no foul by Keane and issued a red card for violent conduct."
Grealish Sees Red for Sarcastic Applause
The drama did not end there. In the closing stages of the match, Everton's Jack Grealish also received his marching orders. The midfielder, who had already been booked earlier in the game, was shown a second yellow card in the final moments.
Grealish's offence was sarcastically clapping towards the referee after he had won a foul. This act of dissent was punished immediately, reducing Everton to nine men for the dying minutes of the contest. Everton manager David Moyes was also cautioned during the frantic finale for leaving his technical area.
Match Context and Consequences
The match itself, played on 7 January 2026, had significant stakes for Everton, who sit at the bottom of the Premier League table. Keane had earlier given the Toffees a crucial lead, raising hopes of a vital home victory.
However, Wolves fought back in the second half, with Mateus Mane scoring the equaliser. This continued the forward's fine form, coming just days after he netted his first goal for the club against West Ham United.
The double dismissal marks a severe blow for Everton's survival hopes. Both Keane and Grealish will now face automatic suspensions, depriving David Moyes of key players for upcoming fixtures. The incident involving Keane also sets a notable precedent, highlighting that actions like hair-pulling are now firmly in the category of violent conduct punishable by a red card, especially after VAR scrutiny.
The fallout from this dramatic night at Goodison Park is sure to dominate football discussions, with focus on referee decisions, player discipline, and the ever-present influence of VAR in the modern game.
