Everton manager Sean Dyche expressed his confusion and frustration over the decision to overturn a penalty in his team’s Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. The incident occurred in the 47th minute when Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down under a challenge from Brighton defender Lewis Dunk. Initially, referee Simon Hooper awarded a penalty, but after being advised to review the decision by VAR official Darren England, he overturned it.
Adding to the confusion was the malfunctioning VAR screen, which led Hooper to view a second monitor below the main screen. Dyche, 53, described the incident as a “big, big decision” in the match and questioned the inconsistency in the application of VAR. In post-match comments, he highlighted the contradictory nature of the decision, given the supposed high bar set for overturning a decision.
Dyche mentioned that in meetings, they were informed that the bar for overturning decisions would be incredibly high. However, in this case, Hooper had a clear view and made a definitive decision, only for it to be reversed. Dyche pointed out that Calvert-Lewin’s foot landing on the Brighton player, which supposedly led to the penalty being overturned, was unintentional and a result of the Brighton player’s out-of-control movement.
The Everton manager raised the question of what constitutes a penalty if even the slightest contact is often given as a spot-kick. He expressed the general confusion among managers and players regarding the application of VAR and the inconsistency in decision-making. Dyche concluded that if the referee had initially awarded the penalty, there would have been fewer complaints from the teams.
Despite the controversial penalty decision, Brighton went on to secure a convincing three-goal victory. Goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and substitute Simon Adingra sealed the win for Brighton, with Yasin Ayari’s late goal being disallowed for offside.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding VAR and its impact on the game. The use of technology to aid decision-making was intended to bring more accuracy and fairness to football, but it has often been a source of controversy and confusion. The inconsistency in the application of VAR and the subjective nature of decisions continue to be points of concern for players, managers, and fans alike. The incident in the Everton vs. Brighton match serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of VAR in football.