Everton Manager Sean Dyche Criticizes Penalty Decision in Defeat to Manchester City
Everton manager Sean Dyche expressed his confusion and frustration with a penalty decision that went against Amadou Onana during his team’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City. Dyche felt like he was “on a different planet” compared to the game’s lawmakers.
The match started well for Everton as they took the lead through Jack Harrison’s goal in the first half. However, newly-crowned Club World Cup winners Manchester City equalized with a stunning strike from Phil Foden and then took the lead after Onana was penalized for handball. Julian Alvarez converted the resulting penalty.
Bernardo Silva sealed the victory for Manchester City by curling the ball into an empty net. This result leaves Everton just one point above the relegation zone. Dyche believed that the penalty decision significantly impacted the game and claimed that his Premier League counterparts considered the current handball law to be a “farce.”
According to the current rules set by global lawmakers IFAB, a handball should be given if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, or if their hand/arm position is deemed unnatural and not a consequence of their body movement. Dyche questioned the penalty decision, stating that Onana was merely trying to block the ball and did not intentionally handle it.
Dyche further expressed his frustration with the current state of VAR and its impact on the game. He mentioned that during a Zoom call with other managers a few months ago, they all agreed that the penalty decisions were confusing and inconsistent. Dyche believes that the referees are not at fault, as they are simply following the letters of the law.
The Everton manager called for more flexibility in the rules and criticized the constant changes made by lawmakers. He admitted that he had never heard of IFAB until a couple of years ago and suggested that they should leave the game alone. Dyche emphasized that managers, players, and even referees are frustrated with the current state of affairs.
In conclusion, Sean Dyche expressed his bewilderment and dissatisfaction with the penalty decision that went against Everton. He called for more clarity and flexibility in the rules, stating that the current handball law is a source of frustration for everyone involved in the game.