Gary Lineker infuriated by what he saw at Goodison Park in Everton vs Aston Villa clash
Gary Lineker was infuriated by the length of the VAR delay that saw Alex Moreno’s goal against Everton disallowed at Goodison Park.
The Match of the Day presenter reacted via X during the game on 14 January after a review of around four minutes saw the Aston Villa defender’s strike ruled out for an offside against Leon Bailey, claiming he was “so bored with” how long the video assistant’s decisions are taking.
Lineker suggested he had managed to walk his dog and still return to find the call had not been made, during a goalless first half.
Lineker wrote: “Saw there was a VAR check so thought it would be an ideal time to walk the dog. They were still looking at it after we got back…. slight exaggeration but, I mean, really? So bored with it.”
Slow
Given there looked to be an angle that clearly showed a prone Arnaut Danjuma, who had been dragged to the turf in the box, was not playing Bailey on out wide it seemed like a decision that could have been reached much quicker.
The Jamaican winger had found Moreno unmarked on the edge of the area to fire low into the corner of Jordan PIckford’s goal, but thankfully for Sean Dyche the right decision was reached otherwise his side’s fast start to the game would have been undercut inside half an hour.
It is hard to argue that the way officials are using the video technology is particularly good for anyone but the outcome in the first half on Merseyside was still preferable to the Toffees going behind to a goal that was offside in the build-up, and arguably saw Danjuma fouled at the same time.
The popular opinion of VAR has never been hugely positive and long delays for what appear to be relatively simple decisions won’t do anything to improve it, even if they end up being right.
After three defeats had badly compromised the strong Everton form this season Dyche needed to get back on track and going behind in the first 45 after starting well would have been a huge disappointment.
The Toffees got away with seeing the ball in their own net, but couldn’t take advantage when Dominic Calvert-Lewin streaked clear before the break only to be thwarted by Emi Martinez in what could have been the difference in a hotly-contested and tight encounter that remained goalless after 100 minutes-plus of action.
In other Everton news, the club will turn to a long-term target in a big way this month if they see a starter vs Villa leave Goodison.