FA to investigate Everton’s Richarlison over flare-throwing incident

Richarlison is facing a Football Association investigation after throwing a flare off the pitch at Goodison Park following his crucial 46th minute winner against Chelsea.

The Everton striker launched a blue flare over the Gwladys Street end after it had been thrown on to the pitch during celebrations for a goal that could prove vital for the team’s bid to avoid relegation. No action was taken against the Brazil international by the referee Kevin Friend but the FA is to investigate. A written warning could follow.

Related: Richarlison boosts Everton’s survival hopes with winner against Chelsea

“We will look into the matter but, as far we we are concerned, Richarlison was attempting to throw it out of the ground,” an Everton spokesperson said.

Frank Lampard, who did not see the incident, was full of praise for his match-winner and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who produced a string of superb saves to deny Chelsea in the second half. “I prodded Richy pre-game because he always gives that sort of effort but it has to be directed in the right way, in terms of energy and output to put people under pressure,” the Everton manager said.

“When he gets his chances he has to be clinical. For the level of striker he can be, he has to be clinical and he was today. But not just him, Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon had a lot of leg work to do and they all performed at a massively high level. We never switched off much and, when we did, we had a top class goalkeeper to save us.”

Everton remain third from bottom, two points adrift of Leeds and Burnley, but with a game in hand on both relegation rivals. Lampard said: “My feeling is there is a long way to go. We can control our games but we can’t control Burnley and Leeds.”

Lampard’s team