Everton have been on the end of some truly abhorrent refereeing decisions this campaign, and yesterday was no different.
As their match against AFC Bournemouth remained 0-0, it seemed like neither side was really pushing to secure that all-important opener.
A tentative affair, the Toffees would have been happy with frustrating the hosts, who were largely expected to score an easy victory.
However, that frustration had the chance to be emphasised, when Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down under a challenge in the box.
There was clear contact, and he was obviously impeded after his quick feet helped him escape capture. Yet no penalty was given.
Unsurprisingly, the outcry that has followed has been spectacular.
Former Premier League referee fumes at VAR
As someone who seeks to offer his unbiased and unfiltered opinion often on X, Keith Hackett was swift to maintain these ideals when reviewing the Everton game yesterday.
Having refereed in the Premier League for many years, and as a former boss of the PGMOL, there are a few better placed to provide an accurate representation of any outstanding officiating moments from each match week.
Fortunately, he sided with the Toffees, who saw Calvert-Lewin’s penalty claims swiftly dismissed as he was bundled over by Tyler Adams’ clumsy challenge.
Although, that arguably makes the failure to award the decision even more frustrating.
Regardless, he would write on X: ‘Everton on the wrong end of another poor decision. Ref Barrot said ‘no’ when Everton’s Calvert Lewin was clearly tripped. VAR Oliver once again failed to assist his colleague. Come on Michael do your job. That WAS a Foul and Penalty kick. You let your colleague down.’
What do Everton need to do to get a penalty?
What’s most ironic about these countless penalty decisions that get waved away, is that the precedent changes every week, and a near-identical situation will end up with different results, leaving Evertonians rightly furious.
The outstanding example comes back in December, when the Toffees travelled to face Tottenham Hotspur.
Battling well, and unfortunate to come out with a narrow loss, the flashpoint of the match saw Amadou Onana wrestled to the ground by Dejan Kulusevski, who was clearly pictured with a handful of his shirt.
Ragging the Belgian, neither the on-field referee nor VAR saw fit to award a penalty.
Then, almost laughably so, that very next week the same player conceded a spot kick against Brighton and Hove Albion, for doing the exact same thing. One rule for Everton, another for everyone else it seems.
And this can even apply to yesterday’s ghost Calvert-Lewin penalty, waved away and backed up by VAR with speed.
Just their last match saw Alejandro Garnacho race down the left flank, cut back and throw himself over the outstretched leg of James Tarkowski.
It was theatrical, but the contact was damning. Few argued with the decision.
Now, in their very next match, the same rules do not apply.
All fans want in their officials is consistency, and yet they continue to make enemies with their unrelenting commitment to ruining the integrity of the Premier League. For Everton, it could prove costly too.