Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday in cruel fashion, falling behind to an injury-time strike from Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow.
It was an end that almost felt inevitable given the flow of the match, in which neither side had really threatened with much quality. If anything, it was the visitors who had enjoyed the better afternoon.
A replay would have been catastrophic for Sean Dyche’s ravaged squad, but a loss felt tough to take despite never really doing enough to deserve more.
However, that is not to suggest that there was not some controversy rife throughout the match, as is always the way when the Toffees take to the pitch.
They have had every right to voice frustrations with the Premier League this campaign given their ongoing off-pitch battle, and such a disappointing officiating performance will only exacerbate issues.
Even Joey Barton has come out to defend the Toffees.
What did Joey Barton say about Everton?
Despite transforming himself into a much-maligned figure of late for his views of women in the men’s game, although he had few fans beforehand, Barton’s latest claims on Everton do hold some weight.
After all, for the Hatters’ opener just before half time, there were some seriously suspect decisions which many called into question.
Although the telling touch came from Vitaliy Mykolenko, whose header flew past Joao Virginia and into his own net, there was a moment as the ball entered the box which afforded them the space to put the Ukrainian under such pressure.
Ross Barkley, who enjoyed 13 successful years at Goodison Park, did appear to shove Dominic Calvert-Lewin and free up that space at the near post.
This left Barton enraged: ‘Luton’s 1st goal against Everton? For me shouldn’t have stood. Male comms and female co-comms. They miss the goalscorer. They miss the infringement. They have countless opportunities to explain to viewer the situation. VAR check incident and give goal!!! What is the point of A, the comms and B, VAR?
‘That is a blatant push on DCL at front zone by Ross Barkley. Female co-comms is saying clever by Barkley. Sorry, it’s a foul. They haven’t clue. What is the point of VAR if not to disallow that type of goal.’
Should Luton Town’s first goal have been disallowed vs Everton?
Although it could be chalked down as a subjective call, there are a few indicators that suggest Barton may have a leg to stand on.
After all, the Luton Town midfielder quite clearly makes a dart forward, but to a position nowhere near where the ball is headed.
It is in an effort to block Everton’s striker, and in doing so he lays two hands on the back of the 26-year-old.
Given he has already jumped in an effort to head away the delivery, as he so often does with great success, he is unsurprisingly sent sprawling to the ground.
VAR’s place in the game is to spot such infringements and remove them from the game, thus creating a fairer atmosphere for these mega stars to play in. If they cannot spot such simple and blatant fouls, then there truly is no point in its continued presence in the Premier League and beyond.
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