If the opposition gets a penalty, fans will bring up a separate moment where they will feel they should have also got one. If a yellow card is upgraded to a red card by VAR, many will forensically analyse the footage and scour the rule book for discrepancies.
Although the standard of refereeing is arguably at its lowest point in recent memory, with the opinion surrounding them in the Premier League further tarnished by the uncertainty VAR has brought, on the weekend it seemingly worked to perfection.
They swiftly confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite had in fact fouled Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze for their opener, and stayed out of most other decisions to allow the game to run smoothly.
However, there was one moment of contention, as the same two players were involved in another tussle in the box. With the latter gliding past the centre-back, he threw himself over an outstretched leg and waited for the whistle.
When it came, it was not the outcome the magician had hoped, with Sam Barrott instead booking Eze for simulation.
Dermot Gallagher has since sought to dispute that decision, despite praising the referee, whilst speaking to Sky Sports: ‘I won’t knock the referee because I think he’s one of the best up-and-coming referees in the Premier League and in his few games, I think he’s done really well.
He’ll learn as he gets older and has more experience that sometimes you’ve got a third option. I think play on is a far better option because I don’t think it’s a dive.’
Did Everton deserve to beat Crystal Palace?
Although the Toffees have been made fun of a lot this season for not being able to convert the opportunities they create, Saturday was a welcome change of pace.
After all, Sean Dyche’s men were actually rather proficient, and instead of succumbing to the usual pattern which has seen them score just 14 goals from an expected goals of 20.80, they found a way to finish lower-quality chances.
Their three goals came from an expected goals tally of just 1.53, meanwhile the hosts would score twice from 2.17.
It could be argued that the Eagles were better value for a result, given they enjoyed more possession, took more shots and had more corners. But, in the end, their two big chances were stacked against Everton’s three, and that is how the game would finish, via Sofascore.
Read More…
Michael Ball calls on Everton players to step up and help Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Michael Ball has called upon the Everton players to continue to step up and help Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his recent struggles against Crystal Palace.
The England international, who has scored three goals in the Premier League in nine games this season, was substituted out of the match on Saturday, November 11, at Selhurst Park after failing to attempt a single shot against the Eagles.
Fortunately, the Toffees found three crucial goals from other sources. Ball feels that Everton’s other players have finally started to show leadership and back their number nine as the team starts to gel under Sean Dyche.
In a November 14 article for the Liverpool Echo, he said, “We have been talking about the importance of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and how he affects this Everton team, but like any player, you can not play at a 10 every week.
Can someone else take over and accomplish the goals in that situation? Can Abdoulaye Doucoure get more involved? Can Vitalii Mykolenko, the other players in the midfield, or even the wingers, as they have demonstrated lately?
They have taken on new responsibilities, and it is encouraging to see their confidence. They are confident they will get a shot on goal; they are not being passive.
We’re playing more as a team. Not everyone is stepping up to the plate, as Alex Iwobi did when he improved under Frank Lampard, but we are not playing as a team.
More of a team
Everton has relied far too heavily on Calvert-Lewin’s goals to win games in recent seasons. When he has been injured, the team has appeared unconfident in the closing minutes and has rarely even challenged the opposition.
That was definitely not the case on Saturday, as the 26-year-old found it difficult to participate in the proceedings while everyone else around him flourished. The Toffees forward, who dropped 16 duels during the match, lost more than any other player.
However, goals from Mykolenko, Doucoure, and Idrissa Gueye made sure Everton won all three points anyway.
Earlier this season and for most of last season, it would have been impossible to imagine the Toffees scoring three times in a game, especially without Calvert-Lewin finding the net.
Rather than being counted on to find the net, the striker will be one of several players posing a threat when he gets back to his best in front of goal.
Everton are a much more complete team under Dyche currently than we have seen at Goodison in several years.
