Michael Oliver to referee Everton's Manchester City tripEverton have lost just one of their last eight games under Northumberland official
Refereeing boy wonder Michael Oliver will take charge of Everton’s trip to Manchester City and Blues will be hoping his appointment is a good omen as they have only lost one of their last eight games when he’s been the man in the middle.
Oliver became the youngest referee in Premier League history when he officiated in the Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers clash in 2010 aged 25 years and 182 days.
Although the whistle-blower is now 31 he was still born after Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Maarten Stekelenburg, Ashley Williams and Leighton Baines.
The only defeat Everton have suffered in their most recent eight games under the Northumberland official came on February 13 this year when West Bromwich Albion triumphed 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Since then he has taken charge of the 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final when both Diego Costa and Gareth Barry were sent off and the 1-0 win over Stoke City in the Premier League in August.
Other Everton matches that Oliver handled last season were the 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham in January, the 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa in November and the 3-0 success over Ronald Koeman’s Southampton in August – his last Blues away game some 14 months ago.
So far this season Oliver has issued 33 bookings in eight matches – a hefty 4.13 per game – but has not sent anyone off.
Last term he booked 131 players in 36 matches – 3.64 yellow cards per game – and issued nine red cards.
Liv Echo
