Keith Hackett: VAR rules cost Everton points in big game v Brentford
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton...
Keith Hackett admits that he was surprised that Brentford weren’t down to ten men as they beat Everton 3-2 on Sunday evening.
The game ended with the Toffees down to nine men, but he believes that the Bees should also have been a man down.
Mads Bech Sorenson completely misjudged the flight off the ball and ran into Richarlison and brought him down in the box.
Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, but with the Danish defender already on a yellow, many in Everton blue wanted him sent off.
However, the referee was unmoved by their protests and VAR could not intervene as it would have been a second yellow and not a straight red.
Discussing this with Goodison News, Hackett said, “Not every foul is a yellow card.
“I think the reason that no yellow card was given is that he might be trying to determine looking through the players who actually didn’t commit the foul.
“It was a penalty kick and I was surprised that a yellow card wasn’t given.
“This is the nonsense of the criteria, that VAR cannot intervene for second yellows.
“This sometimes is the discussion about the second yellow. I support Oliver in his decision to not issue the second yellow.“
Richarlison played a role in both of Everton’s goals, but it did not help them in their fight against relegation.
They now have two games left to play in the Premier League against Crystal Palace and then Arsenal on the final day of the season.
In other Everton news, a football finance expert has made a claim on the new Toffees stadium amid a major £300m development in the recent weeks.
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