Everton boss Sean Dyche lamented the decision to overrule Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal in his side's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
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Calvert-Lewin goal ruled out for foulEverton lost to Spurs 2-1More VAR controversy in Premier LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?
Speaking after the game, Dyche was unhappy that the goal had been ruled out for an Andre Gomes foul on Emerson Royal in the build up. At 2-0 in the 51st minute, Gomes had gone through the back of Emerson to win the ball, albeit with minimal force. The goal would have halved the deficit and could have changed the course of the game and result.
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Unhappy with the decision to rule out the goal, Dyche said: "I'm a big fan of VAR but I don't know where that one lives today because I think VAR has over-reffed the moment. The referee and the linesperson has an amazing view, they've made the decision with all their experience of doing it. It goes out of the window because they can find contact.
"They find contact with virtually everything. The amount of contact in the game we all know is alarming. They favour a penalty when someone has stepped on a toe. When you are stood on when you're in the queue to get onto the tube, you don't fall over. Apparently, that's a penalty nowadays."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It was a poor weekend for Everton, with relegation rivals Burnley and Luton picking up three points to take advantage of the Toffees' misfortune. Dyche's team sit just four points clear of the relegation zone – having had 10 points deducted for a breach of Financial Fair Play rules. It is yet another week where a manager has criticised the officials or VAR for their decisions in crucial moments of the game.
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If Spurs represented a tricky challenge for Everton, then recently crowned world champions Manchester City will be an even bigger hurdle. They travel to the Etihad on Wednesday.