Carlo Ancelotti has vowed to appeal Lucas Digne’s ‘joke’ red card at Southampton.
Digne received his marching orders for a foul on Kyle Walker-Peters during Everton’s maiden defeat of the new season at St Mary’s on Sunday.
The France international is now set to miss the Premier League leaders’ upcoming three fixtures as a result of the dismissal by referee Kevin Friend.
But Ancelotti confirmed the Blues will challenge the decision and suggested fallout from the Merseyside derby may have unduly influenced proceedings.
“It was a joke – it was not intentional,” he told Sky Sports.
“It was not violent conduct so they could’ve checked better.
“Maybe all the rumours during the week against [Jordan] Pickford and against Richarlison affected the decision, and if it is like this, it’s not right.”
Reflecting on the loss on the South Coast, the Everton manager emphasised a need for his side to focus on the positives of their previously impressive start.
He said: “I’m disappointed we lost the game but I cannot forget what we did until now and we did really well.
“We have to keep going to continue to do well. This is the point. We don’t have to be too disappointed.
“We are still at the top of the table, that is an unbelievable achievement for us and we have to try to stay there.
“It was not a good performance but it came after a really good run for us.
“We found a better team than us [on the day] and they won.”