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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

10 times VAR has cost Everton this season as controversial decisions continue to baffle

Throughout Everton's season so far, VAR seems to have dominated a lot of the conversation after their matches.

In some cases, the video technology has worked in their favour, that much must be said. The right decision was made after Vitalii Mykolenko was brought down inside the box by Aaron Lennon recently against Burnley, for example. Right at the start of the term, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was given a spot-kick after the VAR determined he had been fouled by Liam Cooper in a 2-2 draw with Leeds United.

Those are just two incidents, but there have been a couple more across the campaign. But ultimately, the ones that stick in the mind more often are the ones that haven't gone for the Blues.

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As we all know, there have been a lot of those, and it's become the subject of much conversation once more following the Merseyside derby, in a which a number of controversial incidents went against Everton.

The Blues only have themselves to blame for the predicament they are in at the bottom of the table thanks to strings of poor performances. But, a number of decisions going differently throughout the campaign undoubtedly would have had at least some effect.

So, we've taken a look at 10 instances when big calls could have easily gone the way of Everton on a different day, and which could have shaped the season as it stands.

Burnley (H) - Tarkowski challenge

This was a match that Everton eventually went on to win, but the decision over James Tarkowski's challenge on Richarlison still sticks in the mind. Early in the second half, with the Blues forward close to the touchline, the centre-back thundered into a tackle and took out the Brazil international.

The incident, which saw the Burnley man win the ball before clattering into his opponent, went unpunished by the on-field official. It wasn't clear in the stadium if the VAR at the time had taken a further look at the tackle.

Aston Villa (A) - Konsa pull

Everton's first defeat of the season after a strong beginning to the campaign came at Villa Park in September. Three quickfire goals in the second half earned the hosts all three points in what was the Blues' only loss in their first seven matches of the term.

However, it could have been different if Ezri Konsa had been sent off with the scores still at 0-0, after he looked to have pulled back Demarai Gray as the winger ran through on goal. Following the game the ECHO were told that VAR did check the incident, but it wasn't deemed to be a clear and obvious error.

Tottenham Hotspur (H) - Richarlison penalty

This time Everton were given an on-field decision, with the referee pointing to the spot after Richarlison looked to have been brought down by Hugo Lloris as he attempted to round the Spurs keeper. Replays showed that the France international did get fingertips to the ball before taking down the Brazilian, with the Chris Kavanagh blowing his whistle as the ball was loose between the two players.

He was later told by the VAR to check the pitchside monitor for the incident, however, and overturned his decision. However, many still believe that was a very subjective call, with the game later finishing 0-0.

Brentford (A) - Rondon penalty

Toward the end of the first half in Everton's away defeat to Brentford, Salomon Rondon felt that he should have been given a penalty. As Andros Townsend's cross looped into the box, the striker was clearly being wrestled by a centre-back before the chance was cleared.

Again, it wasn't clear inside the stadium whether VAR had even checked the incident on this occasion, with the Blues going on to lose the match 1-0.

Newcastle United (A) - Shelvey challenge

In the first half of Everton's eventual defeat away to Newcastle in February, with the scores still at 0-0, Jonjo Shelvey flew into a challenge on Anthony Gordon on the far side of the pitch. It left the winger in a great deal of pain after what looked to be a scissor motion from his opponent.

Again, however, the VAR didn't feel the need to request the referee to review his pitchside monitor or to hand out a red card to the midfielder. Shelvey went on to play the full 90 minutes of a 3-1 win for the Magpies as they turned around their form.

Southampton (A) - Romeu handball

Everton started their match against Southampton well and they believed they should have had a penalty in the opening minutes. As a cross came into the box it seemed to clearly strike Oriol Romeu on the arm, with the Blues convinced they should have had a spot-kick.

VAR did check over the incident on this occasion, but it was still decided that no action was to be taken. Everton couldn't capitalise on their strong start to the match, and eventually lost 2-0 on the south coast.

Manchester City (H) - Rodri handball

This decision is particularly one that baffles not just Everton supporters, but football fans of any club across the country. In the closing stages of the clash with Man City, the ball bounced up inside the box and seemed to clearly strike Rodri on the arm.

The incident was not spotted on the field and the VAR did not believe it was even worthy of a second look on the pitchside monitor. Everton fell to a rather undeserving 1-0 defeat and later submitted an official complaint to the Premier League over the decision.

Newcastle (H) - Allan red card

This was another match Everton eventually won 1-0, but this decision meant the Blues were without Allan for two important Premier League matches to follow - which they both lost. The Brazilian was initially shown a yellow card for a cynical tackle on Allan Saint-Maximin as the forward looked to set Newcastle on a counter-attack.

However, after extensive viewing from the VAR, the referee had another look at the incident and upgraded his decision to a red card - believing the midfielder was off the ground and out of control when he made contact. Everton appealed against the dismissal and requested to have the ban reduced, but both were declined.

Liverpool (A) - Mane incidents

And that brings us up to the weekend, and firstly a decision not to show Sadio Mane a potential red card after he raised his hands to the faces of both Mason Holgate and Allan in the first half of Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

It wasn't clear at the time but the ECHO understands that the VAR did look at these incidents, but felt that there wasn't enough for them to intervene with the on-field decision.

Liverpool (A) - Gordon penalty

With the scores still at 0-0 on Sunday, Gordon burst into the Liverpool penalty area at the start of the second half and looked to cut inside to have an attempt on goal. While doing so, he seemed to be brought down clumsily by Joel Matip.

Replays later showed a push in the back and the defender standing on the Everton man's foot. However, again VAR did not believe that there was enough for them to intervene with the on-field decision - with the Blues conceding the first goal of the match shortly afterwards.

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