Everton’s loss yesterday was marred by one VAR flashpoint, yet again.
What a perfect way to end the season.
However, it does seem rather fitting, with officiating controversies having dominated the media for the bulk of the campaign. To finish the term without one would have been an unfair reflection on the year’s overriding narrative.
Michael Oliver was the man in charge yesterday, and for the most part, kept a low profile.
It did feel like some of his decisions were a little skewed towards Arsenal, but they were so small that it would be somewhat disingenuous to blow up over them.
What Evertonians do have a right to be angry about is the manner in which the Gunners’ winner was scored. After all, Sean Dyche was furious at VAR again, so fans can justifiably be so as well.
Martin Keown congratulates Michael Oliver
Delivering the post-match verdict live on TNT Sports yesterday, naturally much of the coverage was dominated by the title-chasing Arsenal.
After all, Mikel Arteta had just watched his team stumble to a consecutive second-placed finish, narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City again.
And whilst they can take solace in the fact that they pushed them right until the wire, in the end even a final-day win over Everton was not enough, despite the controversial manner in which they earned it.
Just before Kai Havertz knocked into an empty net, those in the VAR room were meticulously overseeing what appeared to be a handball from Gabriel Jesus in the build-up.
Oliver was at the centre of this flashpoint, and whilst Alan Shearer praised the referee for his actions, Martin Keown would inexplicably agree, seemingly ignoring the call itself and instead being left pleasantly shocked that a referee who was sent to the monitor stuck by his decision.
The former Everton and Arsenal defender noted: ‘Well done Michael Oliver because rarely we see referees do that in that situation. Hell of a bit of luck, fresh air shot from Odegaard and then they put the ball away.
‘Michael Oliver. Fair play to him. I didn’t think I’d see a referee do that at any point and I think he was right.’
Everton deserved something vs Arsenal
Even if they conceded plenty of big chances, and allowed the hosts to dominate the ball, Everton definitely still deserved something from yesterday’s match at the Emirates.
Fortunately, due to their blistering recent form, they did not need a result, but had they, this contentious VAR call would certainly be garnering much more unrest.
It was a typical Sean Dyche display really, with the 52-year-old setting his team up to once again be solid and hard to break down.
And then, when they took the lead against all the odds, it really felt like it wasn’t going to be Arsenal’s day.
But even a quick-fire equaliser could not really rattle the visitors, who remained staunch in their defending, and frustrated their opponents until that late and controversial winner emerged.
Having struck the post as well as enjoying a string of half chances on the break, Everton can take great confidence from a fine away performance on the road against one of the Premier League’s best at the moment.