Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out of the penalty box after Everton was brought down inside the box against Bournemouth.
Former Everton defender Martin Keown has taken aim at the decision not to award Everton a penalty in their 2-1 loss to Bournemouth.
Sean Dyche’s side suffered a setback in their battle to avoid relegation after conceding an own goal in added time. Everton looked to have salvaged a point late on after Beto pounced on a mistake from goalkeeper Neto to cancel out Dominic Solanke’s opener; however, Seamus Coleman turned the ball past Jordan Pickford in the 91st minute.
But as the game was still scoreless early in the second half, Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams collided with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the penalty area, sending the Everton striker to the ground. The ECHO has learned that VAR Micahel Oliver decided that the contact was too “minimal,” which is why he did not recommend that referee Samuel Barrott revisit the incident or award a spot kick.
Commentator Stephen Warnock examined the event on Match of the Day and stated, “I absolutely can [understand Dyche’s frustration].” Samuel Barrott, the referee, had to make a choice.
“He felt that there wasn’t enough contact but in this position, why would Calvert-Lewin go down? He’s just got beyond Tyler Adams; Tyler Adams clips him here. That’s enough at the speed that they’re moving, it always looks different slowed down. That’s a penalty. He’s very very unlucky here, Calvert-Lewin.”
Before Keown added: “Unbelievable decision. I cannot believe it, really. I mean that’s ridiculous.”
“How we don’t get a penalty, I think that is what VAR is meant to do, I don’t know, I think we are all scratching our heads about VAR this season,” Dyche remarked in response to the penalty incident. How is that not given—that is true contact, a proper kick to the shin? They’ll undoubtedly give me a strange interpretation.
