Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially sent off as his side held on for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Thursday.
Calvert-Lewin saw red after a VAR review of the England striker’s studs-up foul on Nathaniel Clyne late in the second half at Selhurst Park.
Calvert-Lewin made only slight contact with Clyne’s leg while winning the ball and Everton boss Sean Dyche was furious with the decision by referee Chris Kavanagh after a long VAR check.
Everton boss Sean Dyche said the use of the video assistant referee pitchside monitor is “testing my patience” after striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off at Crystal Palace.
“I’m a fan [of VAR] but we’re all aware it needs tidying up. I thought it was getting tidied up but it seems to have stepped back a little bit. I remain a fan, but it is beginning to test my patience, ” Dyche said.
The first red card of Calvert-Lewin’s career could have been fatal to Everton’s hopes of progressing in the competition.
Draw will force a replay at Goodison park
They also lost winger Dwight McNeil to a serious-looking injury in the closing stages, but Dyche’s team held on through nine minutes of stoppage-time to force a replay at Goodison Park later in January.
“The slow motion shows a different picture. If you want to slow mo everything, you have to slow mo everything,” Dyche said of VAR being used to decide Calvert-Lewin’s fate.
“There’s minor contact, in live time he doesn’t give anything, then they slow it down and everything looks worse slow.
“Even down to 10 men, I thought the mentality was excellent. We showed that tonight with another good performance.”
10-point deduction for Everton demoralised team
Five-time FA Cup winners Everton last lifted the trophy in 1995 and have been searching in vain for another piece of major silverware ever since.
Hit by a 10-point deduction for financial breaches earlier this season, fourth bottom Everton are mired in a Premier League relegation battle.
An FA Cup run would be a welcome distraction from their league travails and they can still dream of the road to Wembley thanks to this gritty display.
Everton won 3-2 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League in November, but after losing their previous three games they happily settled for avoiding defeat this time.
Calvert-Lewin is without a goal since October and the Everton striker’s lack of confidence was clear when he shot tamely at Henderson from a dangerous position.
Calvert-Lewin got his marching orders in the 79th minute following his debatable foul on Clyne, but Everton stood firm to ensure no more damage was done.
