James Garner should have been sent off in Everton's 1-0 win at Aston Villa on 18 January, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has said. Referee Tony Harrington did not award a free-kick but the KMI Panel unanimously voted that a foul should have been given and Garner shown a second yellow card. It said Garner's actions were "a clear two-handed push into the back" which warranted "a second caution for a clear tactical foul". The KMI Panel also said that Arsenal's Mikel Merino should have received two bookings in Villa's 4-1 loss at the Emirates on 30 December. The KMI Panel said that "Armstrong is close to the ball and clearly impacts an opponent".

Source: BBC January 28, 2026 17:43 UTC