The Premier League has been forced into a mini break once again due to international duty, but for Everton, frustration remains fresh in the memory.
After all, whilst a 0-0 draw at the weekend was solid enough, it could so easily have been three had Dominic Calvert-Lewin been given a penalty mid-way through the second half.
Bundled over by a clumsy Dan Burn challenge, both Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith thought Everton should have had a penalty vs Newcastle United.
However, Dermot Gallagher disagreed, with Howard Webb also explaining why Calvert-Lewin did not deserve a penalty in highly questionable fashion.
Now, fans have been allowed to truly come to their own conclusion with new footage emerging.
Premier League release VAR footage from Everton vs Newcastle United
Released on the Premier League’s official website just yesterday, it’s always interesting to see the exact way in which VAR and the referees come to such conclusions.
Here, they explain that by revealing what was said amongst them all during that moment. Here’s the transcript:
AR1: ‘Blue clear.’
Pawson: ‘No. Not for me, not for me. There’s a challenge between the two of them, not for me.’
VAR: ‘Delay, delay. Checking possible penalty.
‘Gets his foot in front, he kicks him. It’s not a penalty.’
AVAR: ‘He kicks the defender.’
VAR: ‘Just go back… Let’s just start the APP (Attacking Possession Phase) again, just play it all the way through please. That’s not a penalty, just go wide angle.’
AVAR: ‘He kicks Dan Burn.’
VAR: ‘Play it through. Just play it through, just to check everything. Just keep going through. Right, that’s fine. Fine fine fine.
‘It’s checked and cleared Craig. Checked and clear. Check complete, check complete.
‘The defender gets his foot in front and the attacker kicks the back of the defender. No penalty.’
Premier League referees are rushing VAR calls
Whilst this new show, where they comb over the weekend’s key refereeing flashpoints, was brought in to help justify their decisions, it has done little to bolster their reputation.
In fact, especially on this occasion, it has only sparked further frustration.
After all, it really does feel like that in their haste they missed some key details that would have helped Everton earn the penalty they had deserved.
Over the years since VAR’s introduction, one of the main complaints lobbied at it was the time it took to come to a decision.
Whether it be an offside, a penalty or a red card, those at Stockley Park would leave fans inside the stadium in a state of limbo whilst they lazily decided their fate.
The plan this year was to shorten the wait time, but in doing so, particularly on this occasion, it has seen them come to the wrong conclusion, with one angle proving that Burn clearly takes out Calvert-Lewin’s standing leg, regardless of who kicks who.
All Premier League fans want is for these decisions to be right, regardless of how long it takes for them to come to the conclusion.
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