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Bournemouth 2 Everton 2: Are Referees damaging Blues season?

By Matt Townsend

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Referee Lee Probert in action during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Referee Lee Probert in action during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC at Vitality Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Another week and another chaotic match for Everton yesterday as the Blues have a player sent off in dubious circumstances for the second time in three weeks and let a two-goal lead slip.

This was a really frustrating day on the South coast for Everton. A 2-2 draw feels like a loss as the Blues had a two goal lead and looked comfortable before Bournemouth rallied. To make it worse Michael Keane was hurt in a clash with Idrissa Gueye.

Richarlison’s red card was followed by goals from Theo Walcott and Keane and Everton seemed on course for an unlikely three points. But the Cherries are expert at recovering from a losing position and they did it again.

One of those goals came from a penalty award that was dubious to put it mildly. And that decision just brought further into focus the lamentable standard of refereeing in this game and the Premier League as a whole. And of course this followed Richarlison’s controversial sending off in the first half.

I was sceptical about VAR when it was first introduced last season. But after the World Cup this summer I have revised my opinion and given the shaky start to the current season from referees, I think it’s time for its introduction to be considered by the Premier League.

First of all let’s be clear that very many referring decisions are subject to different interpretations and that is not new. There is never an absolute certainty when human judgment is involved.

But the degree to which so many of these decisions are impacting games, (especially it seems Everton’s games), means it’s becoming urgent to try any new methods that could improve accuracy and most importantly, consistency.

Too many Premier League officials seem to be fussy and officious in their interpretation of the rules and too quick to reach for a red card when perhaps a yellow would be more reasonable and appropriate.

In Richarlison’s case the young Brazilian did react to provocation from Bournemouth’s Adam Smith and lurched forward in an aggressive manner but he didn’t appear to make much contact and it could have been dealt with by a yellow card quite easily. And to further the frustration Smith got nothing for his part in the incident.

Football is a contact sport and we need to see players able to challenge and compete for the ball. Obviously violent behaviour can’t be condoned, but in the heat of the moment players will often square up to each other and exchange words or act aggressively.

Surely officials who have reached the exalted heights of the Premier League have had plenty of experience of dealing with that? Even referees in local six-a-side games have to handle that behaviour all the time.

VAR may not be perfect, again nothing is, even video can be misinterpreted or be inconclusive. But it would surely be a step forward in getting these decisions right more often?

Before I finish this isn’t just a rant on Everton’s behalf or special pleading. However look at the facts; the Blues have received a massive 91 red cards since the Premier League started, more than any other club. And already this season the Toffees have had two although I don’t they are a particularly aggressive side.

Many of those cards have been shown in past derby games where it seemed sometimes to be a rule that the Blues should have to play with ten men!

But poor officiating affected other teams this weekend too. Wolves goal against Manchester City was clearly a handball and shouldn’t have stood. Again this was a goal that would surely have been overturned by VAR.

The Premier League is a hugely popular and successful product. However I think it’s in danger of damaging itself with this kind of trend in more and more dubious and arbitrary referring and officiating.

Anyway back to the game against Bournemouth yesterday. Despite the sending off Everton responded well and went into a two-goal lead. Walcott in particularly was outstanding and is having an excellent start to the season.

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With Richarlison likely to miss three games, (unless the Blues successfully appeal the red card), Walcott is going to be even more important to Everton’s chances.

Following this Bournemouth had a player sent off too, ironically the same player involved in the incident with Richarlison, before they eventually equalised.

It’s disappointing to see the Blues concede another two goals and miss out on the chance of what would have been an excellent three points. Despite the refereeing decisions, Everton must prove better able to defend leads like this.

So next up after an EFL Cup diversion, the Blues take on a struggling Huddersfield side. This game at home is one in which the Toffees need to return to winning ways. Let’s also hope the Blues have a referee who can restrain from sending one of the team’s players off too.