Fans and pundits have slammed the decision to give Dominic Calvert-Lewin a red card in their FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace.
The striker was sent off following a VAR review after a sliding challenge on Nathaniel Clyne in which he did appear to win the ball.
Referee Chris Kavanagh was asked to check the monitor for a possible red card, which led to the Toffees striker being taken off with 11 minutes left to play.
Fans have labelled the decision as disgraceful, while Everton captain Seamus Coleman also criticised the decision after the game at Selhurst Park, which finished 0-0.
‘When you slow it down it is obviously going to look bad,’ Coleman told ITV.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off during Everton’s FA Cup third round tie with Crystal Palace
Calvert-Lewin appeared to win the ball as he dived in on Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne went down clutching onto his ankle before the referee was told to go to the monitor
‘From where I was it was a good tackle. I saw the replay after and don’t know who the fingers need to be pointed at, as soon as the ref goes over there [to the screen] you know he is going to give a red card.
‘Listen, it has been a big talking point. For me that is not a red card and it is another decision that goes against us that maybe won’t be talked about as much.’
Everton boss Sean Dyche speaking after the game said: ‘I haven’t asked Dominic Calvert-Lewin [about the red]. The slow motion shows a different picture.
‘If you want to slow mo everything, you have to slow mo everything. There could have been a penalty on Beto.
‘There’s minor contact, in live time he doesn’t give anything, then they slow it down and everything looks worse slow.’
Jamie O’Hara ripped into VAR in his own message on social media saying that ‘the game has been ruined by VAR’ and that Calvert-Lewin’s sending off was an ‘absolute joke’.
Jeff Stelling also questioned VAR’s purpose as he wrote: ‘Does anybody honestly believe the game is better for VAR? Makes you weep how the governing bodies/PGMOL are destroying our beloved game.’
Everton fan Tony Bellew slammed referee Chris Kavanagh in a number of messages.
Tony Bellew, Jeff Stelling and Jamie O’Hara were among those to slam the decision
Bellew said: ‘He seen no wrong when it was right in his face! His mates in that silly little room who answer to NO ONE got in his ear and he s*** his pants and sent him off.
‘It’s a disgrace and is killing the game. NO FOOTBALLER agrees with that decision. NONE!!.’
Former referee Mark Halsey said it could be argued the tackle was reckless but VAR shouldn’t have been called to review it.
He said: ‘Imo You can argue it was reckless but not a challenge that endangers the players safety with excessive force and brutality VAR should have never recommended a review.’
Broadcaster Adam Catterall meanwhile referenced legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly with the quote ‘Football is a simple game complicated by idiots’.
Chris Kavanagh checked the footage and then left Everton fans stunned with his decision
Crystal Palace fans wave Calvert-Lewin off the pitch after he is given his marching orders
He added: ‘Bill Shankly knew then what we’re all experiencing now.
‘The game is in serious danger of losing a whole generation of fans because of its ludicrous persistence with VAR.’
Paul Wake tweeted: ‘Honestly just make it a no contact. Never a red card. Sort yourselves out.’
While @Benjwinst said: ‘That’s an absolute disgrace. It’s never ever a red card in a million years.’
Everton though held out for a goalless draw and the third round FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace will return to Goodison Park for a replay.
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