Everton and Newcastle United played out a pretty exciting draw, as 0-0 results go, as a match filled with controversy and drama.
The first-half saw the Toffees denied the opening goal through a clear offside, before James Tarkowski’s moment of madness gifted the visitors a penalty on the half-hour mark.
Anthony Gordon would miss, before the second-half then saw the Toffees claiming that it was their turn to be gifted a spot kick.
Craig Pawson and VAR felt differently, leaving Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Everton manager Sean Dyche furious.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin on denied penalty vs Newcastle United
Now, speaking to Everton’s official website, Calvert-Lewin has finally delivered his verdict on the key flashpoint of Saturday’s match.
And, he pulled no punches in his assessment, noting: ‘I think everyone can make their own mind up when they see it back. I’ve seen it back and I don’t know what more you have to do to get a penalty.
‘I’m about to put the ball in the back of the net and obviously he’s obstructing me. It’s frustrating and like I say, those things over the course of a season hopefully pay you back and I didn’t get the one tonight but hopefully I get the next one.’
It’s fair to say that most Evertonians would agree with this assessment, and even Jamie Carragher thought Everton should have had a penalty too.
Since then though, Carragher has condemned Everton for their treatment of Anthony Gordon, undoing any goodwill earned.
New angle shows Everton penalty claim in new light
What’s most ironic and frustrating about this entire ordeal is how the Premier League justified the decision, and how that’s since been proven wrong.
After all, their tweet following the moment read: ‘The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge between Calvert-Lewin and Burn is checked and confirmed by VAR – deeming that Calvert-Lewin kicked the back of Burn’s leg.’
Well, upon further reflection, and one additional angle, it’s clear to see that the Newcastle United defender also took out Calvert-Lewin’s standing leg with his rash last-gasp attempt to deny a clear goal.
Without this, it was definitely still a penalty, but it reveals a whole new reason why now.
If only those in Stockley Park had every angle available to them to properly use VAR…
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