Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski, and Michael Keane all headed into Everton’s game against Bournemouth walking a disciplinary tightrope. A suspension threat has been eased on three Everton players, who entered the Blues’ opening meeting of 2025 against Bournemouth on a disciplinary tightrope that threatened their participation in the home game against Aston Villa on January 15. Players who receive five yellow cards in Premier League games during the first half of the season are automatically suspended for one game.
After their yellow cards against Nottingham Forest, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (also cautioned against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, and Chelsea) and captain James Tarkowski (also cautioned against Brighton & Hove Albion; Fulham and Southampton) joined another centre-back Michael Keane, who hasn’t featured since the 1-0 defeat at Southampton on November 2 (having been cautioned against Bournemouth at home; Leicester City; Ipswich Town and Southampton) on four for the season. Keane remained on the bench for the 1-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium, but both Jarrad Branthwaite and Abdoulaye Doucoure had their names taken in Dorset by referee John Brooks, Pickford and Tarkowski were both able to complete the 90 minutes without further punishment.
With Everton having played 19 games, the danger of a one-game suspension for five accrued bookings has been lifted. However, the slate is not wiped clean in terms of yellow cards already picked up, and any player who reaches 10 in Everton’s first 32 matches would face a two-game suspension.
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