As Everton fans, we need no excuse to exhibit our frustrations, of which this season has wrought plenty.
The points deduction naturally stands out among all else, but Goodison Park can even be sparked by just a rogue decision by a referee or a big tackle, with the unrest used as fuel to kickstart atmospheres on some occasions.
One example of the latter was Muhamed Besic’s monster tackle on Yaya Toure back in 2016, which ignited the Toffees and spurred them on to win 2-1 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
On a broader scale, that deduction clearly did the same to Sean Dyche’s men, who would win four Premier League games on the run after their initial loss to Manchester United.
Well, having seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red card rescinded, he too could seek to follow this trend of hitting some fine form to avenge an injustice.
Richard Keys, though, remains incensed about the decision, and has used it as ammunition to fuel his recent rant regarding the officiating in the country.
The beIN Sport pundit would take to X to write: ‘You can’t make this up. Chris Kavanagh who oversaw DCL appealed s/o gets Newcastle/City & VAR for Utd/Spurs this w/e. Altrincham based Antony Taylor conned by Fernandes gets Chelsea. Pawson gets Brighton. Salisbury Sheff Utd. They should all be given the w/e off to study.’
How have the referees performed for Everton this season?
Keys certainly has a leg to stand on regarding his vocal frustration aimed at the officials, who have been notoriously poor this campaign.
In fact, it truly feels like a standout season for them, for all the wrong reasons.
Everton in particular can feel aggrieved, although every Premier League club likely does, with their treatment from those with the whistle, and these sat behind the VAR screen.
Well, their Fan Advisory Board would actually take matters into their own hands recently, penning a letter to the head of the PGMOL Howard Webb following the Calvert-Lewin red card.
Within it, they outline numerous separate decisions, all of which they feel went against the Toffees.
The first, a disallowed goal for Michael Keane in their opening-day loss to Fulham, saw it adjudged to have been a foul on Bernd Leno despite the contact being self-inflicted. The protection goalkeepers get has grown to a ridiculous level of late.
They then note the second yellow card for Ibrahima Konate that did not come in the Merseyside Derby, despite the defender pulling back Beto as he raced through on goal.
Calvert-Lewin’s disallowed goal at Tottenham Hotspur marked another torrid decision, whilst they also highlight Amadou Onana’s failure to earn a penalty despite having his shirt dragged off his back in the same game.
These, and more, have combined to exacerbate the feeling of frustration around Goodison Park.
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