Saturday’s 5:30 pm clash was a match marred by VAR drama once again, favouring Newcastle United, and lambasting Everton.
After all, not only did the Toffees see a goal disallowed for offside, but the visitors were then awarded a penalty not long after, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin was inexplicably ignored when fouled inside the box in the second half.
It is this latter moment which is driving debate, with many Evertonians deservedly furious.
They will take any support they can get, with Jamie Carragher one surprising supporter, yet it is a former player in Don Hutchison who is now arguing against them.
Don Hutchison weighs in on Everton penalty incident vs Newcastle United
Taking to X, seeking to offer his opinion on the key flashpoint within Everton’s match last weekend, one former player was certain that there was no argument for the Toffees on that occasion.
A notion that will not go down well around Goodison Park, who have since seen numerous angles that only reaffirm their penalty stance, Don Hutchison pulled no punches in his assessment.
He wrote: ‘It’s never ever a pen. DCL goes to take the shot and in doing that, he kicks the back of Dan Burns calf. Very similar to the incident between DCL and Lewis Dunk.’
This came after Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League referee, unsurprisingly sided with Craig Pawson on Sky Sports’ ref watch. He suggested: ‘I think Dan Burn has been clever and put his foot across to protect the ball. I think Calvert-Lewin actually kicked him at the back of the leg, and that’s why it’s not given.’
Calvert-Lewin thought it was a stonewall penalty, and made his feelings clear recently with an impassioned recent statement.
Everton earned a penalty vs Newcastle United
It’s no surprise that Gallagher has argued in favour of the referee, as he seldom disputes their rulings.
It’s actually quite tiring to see decisions, even the most blatantly incorrect, defended relentlessly.
Saturday was one such occasion, with that point only reaffirmed given the fact that the presenter, Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith were all in agreement that a penalty would have been the right call.
Not only does Burn insert himself unlawfully, getting himself in between Calvert-Lewin and the ball, but he actually takes out the striker’s standing leg too to refute Hutchison and every other doubter’s claims.
Everton had earned a penalty, and were once again denied it. A tale as old as time.
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