Sean Dyche wasted no time in criticizing VAR after Everton suffered a heavy defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their first Premier League game of 2024/25.
The Toffees were defeated 3-0 at Goodison Park as goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra sealed all three points for new Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Ashley Young was sent off for the home side with the score 2-0 midway through the second half, which effectively ended any Everton hopes of mounting a comeback.
However, it was an earlier incident that left Dyche feeling frustrated and prompted the public criticism that could potentially land him in trouble with the authorities.
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The hosts were awarded a penalty when Lewis Dunk was judged to have brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but on-pitch referee changed the decision after being advised to check the pitchside monitor.
In explaining the decision, the Premier League said: "The VAR recommended an on-field review as he deemed Calvert-Lewin's foot landed on Dunk's foot and there was no foul. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball."
VAR OVERTURNS EVERTON PENALTY. New season, same Toffees. Only Everton. pic.twitter.com/hNBSKx0Qei
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 17, 2024
This would appear to fall under the latest guidance for Premier League officials, who have been told that not every contact in the penalty area should automatically be given as a foul.
Yet Dyche seemed unhappy that another new element of the application of league rules — namely, that VAR would attempt to intervene less often — was not necessarily applied.
"He [the referee] makes a decision in a perfect viewing point and lo and behold is called over to overturn it," he said. "So, what is the point of a high bar, then? We've had meetings about it.
"Their player is out of control on the floor and drags his foot along with the top of his foot and the bottom of Dom's so that clearly pulls him to the ground.
"That is contact in the box and we have all seen the tiniest things given as a penalty — someone treads on a toe and they give a penalty. So, I think we are all confused by this."
Dyche added that it was "a horrible game as a manager", saying: "When you are doing everything you ask and then concede a pretty soft goal from our point of view: a soft pass, they counter and we are 1-0 down against the run of play.
"We then concede from a poor decision from a pass and then get someone sent off and the whole feeling changes. Unfortunately, we had these moments early last season — head-scratchers. The first half was a good performance. We got punished for mistakes."
