Former referee Mike Dean has backed Simon Hooper’s decision to overturn a penalty initially awarded to Everton during their 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, August 17, 2024.
The penalty was awarded after Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down in the box following a challenge from Brighton’s Lewis Dunk. However, after a brief VAR review, the decision was reversed.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, Dean explained that the reversal was correct, as Calvert-Lewin had stepped on Dunk’s foot while attempting to drag the ball away. He asserted that it wasn’t a foul by Dunk, but rather an unfortunate incident for the Everton striker.
This moment proved pivotal in the match, as shortly after the penalty was overturned, Brighton’s Danny Welbeck scored, doubling their lead. The game had begun poorly for Everton, who were already trailing 1-0 after Kaoru Mitoma’s 25th-minute goal despite dominating possession at Goodison Park.
The overturned penalty represented a missed opportunity for Everton to equalize, which could have significantly altered the game’s outcome. Additionally, the incident marks a frustrating start for Calvert-Lewin, who is looking to improve on his seven-goal tally from the previous Premier League season. As the season progresses, the striker’s confidence might be impacted by the missed opportunity, which came so early in the campaign.
This result is a disappointing start for Sean Dyche’s side, who had managed to avoid defeat in their previous encounters with Brighton last season. The controversial incident highlights the fine margins that can define the outcome of a match, especially with VAR playing such a crucial role in modern football.
In other news, Everton is reportedly pursuing Jens Hjerto-Dahl in a bid to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
