Everton are appealing the egregious red card shown to Dominic Calvert-Lewin last night after he won the ball in a challenge with Nathaniel Clyne that VAR Craig Pawson judged to be serious foul play.
The Everton striker was sent off in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park after referee Chris Kavanagh was advised to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
Kavanagh had seen no issue with Calvert-Lewin’s challenge in real-time but, predictably, reversed his call on Pawson’s advice once he had watched replays of the incident.
It was a highy contentious decision that has sparked outrage inside and outside the Everton camp and could have serious consequences for the club, with Calvert-Lewin now due to miss three consecutive matches through suspension.
The punishment comes at a time when the squad is exhausted and stretched after a full festive fixture list mired in further controversy around a disallowed Calvert-Lewin goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Christmas and a harsh handball decision against Amadou Onana that helped Manchester City to victory at Goodison Park.
The striker’s suspension will pose an issue for Dyche at a difficult time for his squad but Everton hope they can successfully challenge the dreadful decision and the punishment, having lodged an appeal against the red card in the hope of having it rescinded and Calvert-Lewin’s suspension voided.