Why Everton seem an anomaly as Premier League mistakes continue to stockpile against them
Everton and their supporters believe there is a double standard of officiating that is going against them in the Premier League.
The Toffees had to sit back and watch as Fulham’s Kenny Tete pulled Antoine Semenyo’s hair in Manchester City’s 3-0 Premier League win over the Cottagers on Wednesday, as the former wasn’t even handed a booking.
Bluenoses were obviously enraged by this decision, despite it not exactly affecting them directly, as Michael Keane was sent off for allegedly pulling Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare’s hair last month.
The Everton centre-back received a three-game ban as a result of violent conduct, with the Blues having been short in defence the past couple of matches.
But that’s just one example of what David Moyes and the Toffees have had to deal with this season.
Everton confused by consistency of officiating many times this season
Moyes was given a yellow for entering the pitch during celebrations of Everton’s equaliser in a recent 1-1 draw against Brighton, which, granted, isn’t permitted under official rules.
Okay, fair enough, but why did Arsenal get away with it against Chelsea, when several figures for the Gunners entered the pitch after Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner in the FA Cup?
The same could be said about Harrison Armstrong’s offside goal against Aston Villa in comparison to Bournemouth’s controversial second goal in their 2-1 win over the Toffees on Tuesday.
Jake O’Brien’s sending off against the Cherries took Everton’s red card tally to four, and although the defender’s dismissal was perhaps deserved, the Toffees, on the whole, have been let down by officials.
Moyes has been rightly upset about decisions that have gone against his side, with supporters now claiming that officials and more have an agenda against them.
But sometimes it’s swings and roundabouts, and something will surely land in favour of the Toffees soon.
Everton have their own issues to battle; defence is regressing
In the last eight games of both the Premier League and FA Cup that Everton have participated in, the Toffees have managed to keep just one clean sheet.
The defensive record at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is a particular worry, as Everton’s home performances continue to disappoint.
O’Brien’s red card means that Moyes will again have to shake things up at the back, but he’ll be hoping the return of Keane will ease the Blues’ pain.
One thing is for sure, though, and that’s that the Toffees need to tighten things up at the back. It’s unlike Everton to ship so many goals this easily, and Moyes needs to plug the gaps.
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