Everton are famed for being a club that is simply just too nice.
Whether it be on or off the pitch, they always seek to do the right things in the hope that it will one day pay them back.
And yet, here we are in 2024, awaiting the result of the Toffees’ second PSR hearing, the first of which saw them deducted ten points.
Meanwhile, on the pitch they continue to be hamstrung by VAR, with Tuesday marking just the second penalty they had been awarded all campaign despite numerous valid claims throughout the term.
This business is too cutthroat for niceties, and the sooner Everton realise it then the sooner they might be able to start operating in a ruthless manner to further the club.
Everton once again fail to appeal for a penalty
Yesterday, as they sought to wind down the clock, Andre Gomes poked a short corner to a teammate, who then fed the ball to the edge of the box.
There stood James Garner and Vitaliy Mykolenko, who exchanged a one-two before the former sought to cut inside.
Having completely sold Jay Rodriguez with his quick feet, just as Dominic Calvert-Lewin did with Tyler Adams a week earlier, contact on both of his shins sent him sprawling to the ground.
Goodison Park roared at the referee to give the decision, but neither he nor the VAR officials saw fit to award Everton what they deserved.
Perhaps the most damning indictment from that 93rd-minute flashpoint was the lack of furore the actual players whipped up, with a mere raised arm from Garner being the sole extent of their protests.
If they are to get these decisions, they simply have to do more.
VAR continues to ignore Everton
Even if Everton saw one decision go their way yesterday, with Dara O’Shea sent off for his last-man tackle on Dwight McNeil, that was just one of three in the game, two of which inexplicably went against them.
Those were blatantly ignored by the arrogant Michael Oliver, who smugly waved away minor protests from the players after first Beto was fouled as he raced through on goal, and second when Garner was bundled over in the penalty area.
Whilst the former was far more blatant, with there really being no excuse for such a conclusion being reached, the latter has drawn more frustration given the similarities it shared with last weekend’s decision at AFC Bournemouth.
‘It is identical to last week’s with Dom down at Bournemouth, we never got that one either. I don’t know how we don’t get them,’ Sean Dyche bemoaned after yesterday’s match.
However, the answer arguably lies within his own playing squad.
So passive and willing to let these decisions lie, the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City showcase a ruthless contrast which explains why they are where they are.
Any grievance they have, they let it be known. Swarming the referee and ensuring he and those on VAR are forced to oversee what has irked them, it puts more eyeballs on the decision, thus creating a greater scandal should they get it wrong and force them to slip up in the title race.
Why should it be any different for Everton?
The stakes are arguably higher in the relegation battle, yet once again the Toffees are too nice, allowing these moments to pass them by without a whimper.
Fortunately, it did not prove costly yesterday. But it could do and already did last week at Bournemouth.