Everton went through the whole of this season without once seeing an opponent reduced to 10 men.
While six red cards were shown to Blues - many in the final months of the season - at no point was a rival player sent off. This was despite a number of incidents in which supporters were angered by apparent inconsistencies from matchday officials.
The red card statistic is one of several to highlight a season of frustration for Everton, who were repeatedly left unhappy at the intervention and use of VAR. The most high profile was the failure to award a penalty against Manchester City for handball - a decision that later sparked an apology to the club.
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Other incidents included claims for a penalty in the Anfield Merseyside derby while the game was goalless - with manager Frank Lampard later subjected to scrutiny from the FA following his comments after the game.
Research by ESPN recently concluded Everton would have been four points better off without VAR - though the study did not take into account the decision not to award the penalty against Rodri when City visited Goodison Park. Regardless, it still ruled the BLues to be one of the worst-hit clubs in relation to VAR decisions.
And when it comes to red cards, there were a number of calls that rightly left Evertonians scratching their heads. Here, the ECHO takes a look back at some of them.
Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle United (A)
With the scores still at 0-0 as Everton visited Newcastle in February, Shelvey flew into a challenge on Anthony Gordon. Neil Lennon, who was commentating on the BBC, summed up the thoughts of many on the tackle: “The tackle from Jonjo Shelvey on Anthony Gordon, for me there is no doubt it was a red card and I can’t accept that it has not been overturned to a red.”
Yet the VAR did not 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.
Allan, Newcastle (H)
Everton won the return match 1-0, but only after Allan saw red. The decision ruled him out of two important Premier League matches in the relegation run-in - 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, on this occasion VAR called on the referee to take another look and his decision was upgraded to a red card. In a sign of their view on the incident, the Blues appealed against the dismissal and requested to have the ban reduced. Both were declined.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Brentford (H)
The decision to send off Branthwaite had huge implications for Everton's survival hopes. The match - in which a win would have confirmed the Blues' safety - had started well with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's early goal. But the game turned on the events of the 18th minute. Few questioned the decision to send off Branthwaite after he brought down Ivan Toney as he was through on goal. What was the centre of attention was the decision not to bring play back for a penalty on Richarlison, who was clearly having his shirt pulled. Everton could so easily have been 1-0 up with a penalty to double the lead. Instead they were down to 10 men.
Mads Bech Sorensen, Brentford (H)
Later in the game, and after Brentford had equalised, Everton were given a penalty. The relief at an important decision going in the Blues' favour was, however, tempered by Sorensen staying on the pitch. The defender had already been booked for a lunge on Gordon and many at Goodison expected to see his second yellow for the foul on Richarlison. It did not follow and the 11 men of Brentford overwhelmed the Blues and forced the club to wait another game to secure safety.
Jordan Ayew, Crystal Palace (H)
That day came with the remarkable 3-2 comeback win against Palace in the penultimate game of the season. It could have been so much easier, however, had Ayew seen red for what looked like an horrendous lunge on Gordon. To make matters worse, seconds later he doubled the visitors' lead.
