Toffees charged after derby melee

Everton have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players following the reserve derby with Liverpool last week.

The charge arises from a melee involving players from both sides after the Reds goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was dismissed for violent conduct following his reaction to a challenge from Everton’s Victor Anichebe.

Everton club secretary David Harrison told the club’s official website, www.evertonfc.com: “We have been charged with a breach of FA rule E20, which is failure to control our players.

“We have until the first of November to reply and we also have the opportunity to request a personal hearing before the commission, should we wish to do so.”