Everton superfan Tony Bellew furious at what he saw at Goodison Park, ‘Disgrace’
Everton being denied a “stonewall penalty” against Leicester City proves that VAR officials have an agenda against them, Tony Bellew has said.
Bellew posted on X (2 February) having seen BBC footage of Jannik Vestergaard’s challenge on Beto in the box, which saw him bundle the striker to the floor midway through the Toffees’ 4-0 win on Saturday (1 February).
Beto had been played through on goal by James Garner before being taken to ground with Vestergaard nowhere near the ball, and Bellew fumed that no penalty was given by either the on-field referee or VAR.
He said: “Said this yesterday while at the game. People in that VAR room have obviously got an agenda against us.
“This is a stonewall penalty. No attempt to play the ball and just runs into the player. Referee is an absolute disgrace for this.”
Everton not hampered by controversy in Leicester City victory
Bellew’s bafflement that a penalty didn’t go the Toffees’ way for Vestergaard’s challenge is certainly understandable, given it’s as blatant a foul as you’d ever be likely to see in the Premier League.
The Blues have certainly been given, and been on the end of, penalty-box fouls much softer than that one, and the decision to ignore it only shines a further light on the state of refereeing in the top flight.
Beto winning a penalty on top of his two goals would have capped arguably the best overall display of the Guinea-Bissauan’s time at Goodison Park, which saw him assert himself as David Moyes’ striker.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Armando Broja’s respective injuries have arguably given Beto a starting place by default, but the 27-year-old is finally showing he’s got what it takes to lead the line full-time.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure and Iliman Ndiaye also getting on the scoresheet either side of Beto’s brace, the Toffees completed a 4-0 win which shows they aren’t letting VAR derail their upward trajectory.
In other Everton news, the Toffees could launch a late swoop for a forward as the final 24 hours of the transfer window approach.
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