Sylvain Distin accuses Stoke City of "wrestling"

Everton's Sylvain Distin has compared the tactics that Stoke City deployed against his side yesterday afternoon to "wrestling".

Throughout the encounter there were numerous incidents of pushing and shoving inside the penalty area at the Britannia Stadium, with the majority going unpunished by the match officials.

When asked by the club's official website what it is like to face a team like Stoke, Frenchman Distin replied: "It's wrestling, it was tough.

"It was difficult to run through, they just catch you all the time and grab you.

"I think the ref could have a better look at it. But that is football and it's going to happen when you come to a place like Stoke."

The match ended in a 1-1 draw.