Premier League speak out on Everton penalty controversy v Brighton
The Premier League has responded to the controversial decision to deny Everton a penalty in their 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion [17 August].
Sean Dyche’s side trailed 1-0 going into the break and looked set to equalise only minutes into the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down in the penalty area.
Lewis Dunk was the culprit but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned to the bewilderment of Goodison Park.
The Premier League responded to the incident on X, claiming that Calvert-Lewin had caught Dunk first and the decision to overturn the spot-kick was correct by VAR.
“The referee awarded a penalty to Everton for a foul by Dunk on Calvert-Lewin,” they wrote.
“The VAR recommended an on-field review as he deemed Calvert-Lewin’s foot landed on Dunk’s foot and there was no foul. The referee overturned the original decision and play.”
Premier League reacts to new Everton decision
Everton did everything right in their recruitment this summer but, the opening day 3-0 loss to Brighton at Goodison Park is a stark reminder that there is still a long way to go before the side is ready to compete in the top half of the Premier League.
It will be an afternoon of what if, the side could have equalised early into the second half had VAR not overturned the on-field decision and taken the momentum away from their opponents.
Instead, Brighton ran riot on Dyche’s deflated side and added goals from Danny Welbeck and Simon Adringa to complete the rout.
Ashley Young made matters worse and got sent off in the second half, which all but confirmed defeat on the opening day for Everton.
The Premier League has started right where they left off last season with a controversial VAR decision on the opening day, the decision will split opinion among supporters but Everton were frankly not good enough against Brighton.
It is the worst possible start for the Blues but the supporters must remain optimistic and keep patience with the project, the summer signings will need time to adjust to life in the Premier League and have all the tools for success once they have gelled with Dyche’s system.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have joined the race to sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl as a new transfer update emerges.
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