Everton were disappointed at the weekend.
The Toffees fell to their first defeat of the season at the weekend, losing 2-0 to Southampton, as ill-discipline befell them.
Lucas Digne was sent off in the 72nd minute for a nasty looking rake of the ankle of Kyle Walker-Peters.
It is the second time in as many games that the Toffees have seen a man dismissed, with Richarlison sent off in injury time against Liverpool in a fractious Merseyside derby.
Darren Bent, the former Premier League striker, believes that the sending off of the Brazilian may be more damaging in the long run, though, with Carlo Ancelotti not having all that many elite attackers to call upon.
The Toffees have a tough run of fixtures coming up, taking on Newcastle United and Manchester United in their next two games.
And Bent believes there will be a significant drop-off in quality in the forward line in the weeks to come.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “For Everton now, who can come in?
“Obviously, they’ve got Alex Iwobi with (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin and (James) Rodriguez but we know there’s going to be a drop-off.
“He’s been brilliant but that moment of madness was not good.
“That tackle was awful on Thiago Alcantara. It was a disgusting tackle, to be honest, it was awful. He’s got to face the punishment and retribution.
“I’m sure Everton will find a way but there will be a bit of a drop-off because he’s been really well. If anything that tackle has let himself down because he’s had a very good start to the season.
“After that one incident people are not going to be talking about his start to the season and how well he’s done, they’re going to be talking about the horrific challenge he put on Thiago.”
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Richarlison is excellent but his temper has got the better of him.
He has one goal and two assists to his name this season already, while Iwobi has yet to score in the league.
In fact, the ex-Arsenal winger last scored in the Premier League in September of last year, in a 3-2 win over Wolves.
To go from Richarlison to Iwobi is a bit like trading a five-star hotel for a grimy bed and breakfast with stained bedsheets.
Ancelotti will know that and so will the Brazilian; the latter will be counting the cost of his error of judgement.