CARLO Ancelotti insisted the red card shown to Lucas Digne was “unfair” as Everton’s unbeaten start to the Premier League came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Saints.

The visitors struggled to get going as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were clinical, taking a two-goal lead inside the first half through James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams.

In the second half, Digne was dismissed – the second red card shown to an Everton player in successive weeks – for an awkward challenge on the Achilles of Kyle Walker-Peters.

The Everton manager said: “We are going to appeal because it wasn’t intentional or violent conduct and I think it could be a yellow.

“It was an unfortunate contact and the red card was unfair.”

He added: “It was not a bad challenge. He was running behind and had the contact with the ankle of the opponent but no intention to hurt the player or use violent conduct.

“It was not the right decision.”

Giving his thoughts on Digne’s dismissal, Hasenhuttl said: “He tried before also to kick him and then finally he hit him from behind so, for me, it was a clear red card.”