Everton suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, with a controversial VAR decision overturning a penalty that could have changed the game. In their Premier League opener, Everton were denied a chance to equalize when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down by Lewis Dunk. Although a penalty was initially awarded, VAR reviewed the incident and instructed referee Simon Hooper to use the pitch-side monitor, resulting in the decision being reversed.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma had scored the opening goal in the first half, and after the penalty was overturned, Danny Welbeck extended Brighton’s lead. The situation worsened for Everton when Ashley Young was sent off, and Simon Adingra added to the frustration with a third goal for the Seagulls.
Sean Dyche expressed his confusion over the penalty decision, questioning the purpose of setting a high bar for referees if such clear decisions can be overturned. He noted that the incident involved clear contact and wondered why such minimal contact is sometimes deemed sufficient for a penalty.
Regarding Everton’s performance, Dyche described the game as disappointing, noting that despite some positive aspects in the first half, the team struggled with critical moments and poor decisions. He reflected on the impact of the overturned penalty and the subsequent red card, which he felt changed the dynamic of the match. Dyche concluded by emphasizing the importance of decisions and details in the Premier League, comparing them to other divisions.
