Frank Lampard criticised three “big decisions” that went against Coventry City in their defeat to Everton on Friday night.
The Sky Blues went ahead through Yann Gboho early in the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but lost 3-1 to a brace from Thierno Barry and a late strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Coventry could have had a penalty in the first half when James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair while jumping up for a ball, but the incident went unpunished by referee Stuart Attwell and the VAR.
The Midlands outfit had another shout for a penalty just after the break when Vitaliy Mykolenko took down Taiwo Awoniyi right on the edge of the box, but crucially VAR judged it did not take place inside the area.
There was yet another appeal shortly afterwards when Gboho’s cross struck Harrison Armstrong’s arm, but VAR deemed his arm was close to his body.
Just two minutes later, Barry bundled home the equaliser, but there was a suspicion of handball from the striker. Replays proved inconclusive and the goal stood, setting the stage for Everton’s comeback win.
Frank Lampard fumes over controversial Everton decisions
Lampard was pleased with Coventry’s performance overall, but was left frustrated by the big refereeing calls.
“A lot of good stuff in the way we played which makes it really difficult to lose the game. Big decisions affected the game, clearly,” he told Sky Sports after the final whistle.
“The VAR ones, VAR looked at them. The hair pull on Caleb, Taiwo I think he gets contact on the edge of the box which is a penalty. Then the second goal for them comes off the player’s hand. If you’re going to check the angles, there is an angle where it flicks in off his hand. VAR looked at it and decided not. The last touch to score is off the hand, in my opinion.
“I’ve seen a conclusive angle so I can disagree. I understand they are going to back themselves that’s fine and it’s hard to say it’s not a hair pull. It’s an in-between kind of hair pull, that’s a funny area to be in so I don’t get that one either.
“We have to keep working, I’m seeing progression in the team. We have to work hard. There is a good spirit with us and we have to keep improving.”
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