Neil Moxley furious after what Everton manager Sean Dyche said – ‘It’s an absolute joke’
Neil Moxley has been left furious following Everton manager Sean Dyche’s comments about the handball rule after the Toffees’ defeat to Manchester City, branding the rule “an absolute joke.”
The Toffees lost 3-1 to Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday (27 December) having taken the lead in the first half through Jack Harrison as goals from Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and a penalty from Julian Alvarez saw City claim all three points.
However, the main talking point after the game was the decision to punish Amadou Onana for an accidental handball inside the penalty area, with Sunday People journalist Moxley suggesting supporters should “give up” if that was a penalty.
Writing for the Sunday People (31 December, page 56) he said: “Everton boss Sean Dyche was the latest to question the officialdom’s nonsensical approach to the handball law this week, after his side were on the wrong end of a call against Manchester City. It’s an absolute joke.
“When the ball hits an arm, there’s a multitude of questions that now must be asked and answered. Was there movement towards the ball? Is the arm in an unnatural position? Did it hit the player above the T-shirt line? Did it deflect off any other part of the body?
“Really? And the poor old referee has to go through this mental checklist in the blink of an eye while supporters are howling in the stands.
“Then, pundits on Match of the Day and the armchair coaches on social media are dissecting the decision within minutes – calling out the hapless official – as they refer to some sub-section of the law to prove some point.
“No. Just stop it. Dyche had a point. If what took place at Goodison in midweek was worth a penalty, we might as well give up.”
Give up
It does seem as though footballers can no longer win with the handball rule as each passing week seems to throw up a new controversial decision that no player, manager or pundit can agree on.
The decision to award Manchester City a penalty during the clash at Goodison Park was ridiculous as Onana’s hand made contact with the ball as he went to ground in the penalty area. It cannot be deemed as a deliberate action.
Such a controversial call came only days after Liverpool were denied a spot-kick when Martin Odegaard slipped and handled the ball within his own penalty area. There is no consistency on a game-by-game basis and the rule needs to be changed.
Dyche and Moxley are both within their rights to be frustrated as to how are teams meant to navigate these rules when they cannot understand them clearly. This can’t continue and the handball rule needs to be made clearer sooner rather than later.
In other Everton news, Youseff Chermiti is one of three players that could be set to depart Goodison Park in January