LEIGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: The BBC Sport sign on an interview microphone ahead of the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village on March 5, 2023 in Leigh, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Joey Barton now launches into furious VAR rant after Everton v Luton controversy
Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday in cruel fashion, falling behind to an injury-time strike from Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow.
It was an end that almost felt inevitable given the flow of the match, in which neither side had really threatened with much quality. If anything, it was the visitors who had enjoyed the better afternoon.
A replay would have been catastrophic for Sean Dyche’s ravaged squad, but a loss felt tough to take despite never really doing enough to deserve more.
However, that is not to suggest that there was not some controversy rife throughout the match, as is always the way when the Toffees take to the pitch.
They have had every right to voice frustrations with the Premier League this campaign given their ongoing off-pitch battle, and such a disappointing officiating performance will only exacerbate issues.
Even Joey Barton has come out to defend the Toffees.
What did Joey Barton say about Everton?
Despite transforming himself into a much-maligned figure of late for his views of women in the men’s game, although he had few fans beforehand, Barton’s latest claims on Everton do hold some weight.
After all, for the Hatters’ opener just before half time, there were some seriously suspect decisions which many called into question.
Although the telling touch came from Vitaliy Mykolenko, whose header flew past Joao Virginia and into his own net, there was a moment as the ball entered the box which afforded them the space to put the Ukrainian under such pressure.
Ross Barkley, who enjoyed 13 successful years at Goodison Park, did appear to shove Dominic Calvert-Lewin and free up that space at the near post.
This left Barton enraged: ‘Luton’s 1st goal against Everton? For me shouldn’t have stood. Male comms and female co-comms. They miss the goalscorer. They miss the infringement. They have countless opportunities to explain to viewer the situation. VAR check incident and give goal!!! What is the point of A, the comms and B, VAR?
