Frank Lampard expressed his frustration with VAR during Coventry City’s 3-1 loss to Everton, claiming that three crucial calls went against his team. After Coventry initially took the lead with a goal from Yann Gboho in the second half, Thierno Barry scored twice and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added another for Everton, turning the game in their favor.
Lampard contended that his side should have been awarded a penalty in each half, first citing an incident where James Tarkowski seemingly pulled Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair, and later when Taiwo Awoniyi was tripped from behind by Vitalii Mykolenko. Barry’s second goal also underwent a VAR check for a potential handball after the ball struck his arm before going into the net.
“The decision on Tarkowski in the first half was reviewed, and seeing the replay, he did pull Caleb’s hair. I thought the rules were clear,” Lampard said to Sky Sports. “While I know the rules have changed so it isn’t a red card now, it’s still a foul because Yirenkyi couldn’t jump. I was also baffled by the no-call on Taiwo’s run; it’s an obvious foul as he entered the box.”
He continued, “Barry’s second goal touched his hand. I’m not one to complain, but it’s disheartening when pivotal decisions influence the game. VAR is intended to assist in these situations, but it failed tonight.”
In terms of their season, Coventry has remarkably dropped seven out of their first 10 league matches, a rare occurrence in their history, previously seen in the 1919-20 and 1920-21 seasons. This loss marks the sixth consecutive defeat for former Everton managers facing the Toffees in the Premier League, including Lampard. Currently, Coventry sits 16th in the league table, with the looming possibility of relegation if results don’t favor them.
Fan Take: This situation highlights the ongoing debate around VAR’s effectiveness and impact in soccer. For supporters, the outcomes of such controversial calls can drastically change the trajectory of a season, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency in officiating to maintain fairness in the game.
Source: www.soccernews.com
