‘We all wonder’: Sean Dyche left stunned by one key refereeing decision during Everton vs Brighton

Despite hardly being the most enthralling affair of all time, Everton’s game yesterday had pretty much everything.

From a stunning opener to red card controversy, BBC’s Match of the Day pundits were left with plenty to discuss, and even more for Gary Lineker and Micah Richards to debate.

However, there was one key decision that the referees made which left Sean Dyche completely baffled, and even frustrated.

After all, it proved pivotal in dropping two points from a winning position, the first time they have done that since the reverse fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Dyche detailed his disappointment with the officiating.

What Sean Dyche said about the referees yesterday

So often on the wrong side of refereeing decisions, it felt refreshing yesterday to see Everton’s opposition thwarted by the man with the whistle for a change, sending Billy Gilmour off for his wild challenge on Amadou Onana.

It was the first time in many, many months that the Toffees had boasted a numerical advantage as a result of a red card, and the hope was that they could make it count given they had already snatched the lead.

However, in the 95th minute of injury time, Lewis Dunk rose highest to head home a crushing equaliser. It was the first headed goal that Everton have conceded this season; a remarkable statistic.

But there was anger when the fourth official lifted his board up to display nine added minutes, with the away section questioning where he had conjured that number up from.

Dyche was another left dumbfounded, and he would tell BBC Sport post-match: ‘Inevitably they get nine minutes and all of us are wondering where that came from. The crowd get a lift, they get that freedom to just throw things forward and if anything we should have just kept the ball better.’

‘We all wonder about these nine minutes and all that, who knows where they come from, they’ll have their reasons and they’ll add on every second they can find.’

Everton were so close to their first Premier League win of 2024

Having failed to overcome a manageress Crystal Palace at home, been beaten by Manchester City, and earned draws with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, 2024 has marked the continuation of a barren run for Dyche’s men.

They just cannot claim that all-important victory, the likes of which would go a long way towards distancing themselves from the relegation zone.

Whilst they remain out of it for now, just one point away from Luton Town, there remains an unrelenting pressure that they need to forge a larger gap or else be dragged into the mire late in the season.

But with their appeal process rumbling on, it almost feels like the team has stopped playing as freely as they did back in late November and early December, perhaps expectant that this upcoming outcome will bail them out.

Well, they cannot rely on any favours from the Premier League, and with West Ham United on the horizon before tough tests against Manchester United and Liverpool, Everton must start picking some serious points to avoid a third straight dogfight which goes on late into the campaign.

Exclusive: Everton could now sue Man City in new FFP twist – Wyness

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has suggested Everton could now sue Man City for Premier League points in a “ridiculous” new twist.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – slammed top-flight chiefs for the delays in dealing with Man City’s 115 outstanding FFP charges.

Last year, City were charged by the Premier League with 115 financial breaches spanning nine seasons – but their case is yet to be heard by an independent commission.

It is believed the treble-winners are not expected to face a verdict on their charges for at least 12 more months – with a hearing set to come later this year.

Everton have already been charged and punished with one breach of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules since then – and could land another points deduction for a separate breach within weeks.

Wyness can’t believe ‘ridiculous’ Man City delay – Everton could now sue

Wyness suggested the Toffees could sue City for points on the league table if they are eventually found guilty – and Everton are cleared following their appeals.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s complex, with the 115 charges. I’ve said that many times.

“I think they split off into three or four categories.

“I just don’t know why it’s taking so long. Man City recently beat Everton – is there a case for Everton to sue and get those points back if City are found guilty and we’re innocent of the charges?

“That’s where this stupid merry-go-round the Premier League have opened could end.

“It could end up being a ridiculous situation like that.

“The delay in hearing Man City’s case is something I’m definitely against and it could have been handled much better by the Premier League.”

‘Big feeling is’: Alan Myers suggests Everton appeal verdict won’t come today, new date being rumoured

Everton are closing in on a third week without hearing a peep regarding the outcome of their appeal.

The Merseyside outfit were swift to voice their disgrace with the initial ruling which saw the club deducted ten points back in November for a breach of the Premier League’s financial rules.

Ever since then, there has been an all-out war between the club and their division, seeking to profess their innocence against the backdrop of relentless fan protest.

Well, it seems that despite today being the day when many hoped to hear back, Alan Myers has suggested otherwise.

What Alan Myers has said about Everton’s appeal

Widely regarded as one of, if not the most reliable reporter related to Everton, his word is often gospel

However, already his mid-February prediction has proven incorrect, as the days melt away without an outcome.

Now returning with a new suggestion, he has taken to X in an effort to ease fans’ concerns, by writing: ‘No, I’m still guessing Thursday or Friday big feeling is it could be end of the month’

It seems that there is an end to this relentless misery, but the manner in which it keeps getting postponed is indicative of how unprepared and shoddy the Premier League have been throughout this process.

The Premier League’s waiting game is getting boring

777 Partners agreed to a deal with Farhad Moshiri to take over at Everton in September. In a process that normally takes approximately eight weeks to ratify, we are into our 22nd.

Then, having seen the trial end well over two weeks ago now, we are just three days away from a third week without a verdict. How long does it take to make a decision based on what was presented so long ago?

This Premier League waiting game is getting so painfully tiring, and is only adding to the growing resentment many fans feel towards their own division.

The manner in which they have alienated one of their most historic institutions is laughable, and at this point any kind of reduction in the initial sanction will be beneficial just to see them proven wrong.

After years and years of cutting costs and offloading stars just to comply with a set of PSR guidelines no longer fit for purpose, the punishments continue, with Simon Jordan predicting further misery later in the season for this club.

It is a never-ending nightmare for Everton on all fronts, and one which now seems set to continue should Myers’ premonition come to fruition.

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