Dyche admits VAR 'testing patience' after controversial Calvert-Lewin red

Sean Dyche admitted VAR is ‘testing his patience’ following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s controversial sending off in Everton’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round.

The Toffees frontman was shown a red card on review by referee Chris Kavanagh after a 79th-minute challenge on Nathaniel Clyne at Selhurst Park.

Dyche’s side held firm in the closing stages to earn a replay but the Everton boss believes the technology needs ‘tidying up’ in the near future and pointed to a late penalty appeal for his side as a sign of its inconsistency.

“It seems a bit confused at the moment,” he said.

“I’m a fan of it and I remain a fan at this stage but it is beginning to test my patience.

“If you slow anything down of that nature it will look a lot worse. Live, it doesn’t look that bad.

“You slow it down and it’s high but there’s minimal contact. He [Calvert-Lewin] is certainly not that kind of player.

“The ref gives nothing live, then you bring it back and slow it down.

“Beto gets pulled down to the floor at the end of the game so why don’t they bring that back and slo-mo it?

“If you start slowing everything down, you have to have parity.”

Roy Hodgson admitted he had sympathy for his opposite number following the decision, which proved the main talking point in a match otherwise devoid of quality and clear-cut chances.

“Sean [Dyche] comes from a time of football where those sort of challenges were pretty commonplace and they weren’t punished if people got the ball,” the Palace boss said.

“We now live in a slightly different world and there is a risk those challenges will bring a red card.

“There was no malicious intent from Calvert-Lewin, it’s a situation and an interpretation of a challenge. I do have sympathy with Sean.

“In every game that’s played, you’re aware a situation like that will bring debate, one team will be unhappy.

“Do I understand Sean Dyche’s frustration? Yes, but I don’t want to criticise the referees either.”

Eberechi Eze came closest to breaking the deadlock following the red card, with his long distance effort in stoppage time tipped around the post by Joao Virginia.

The Toffees, who saw Arnaut Danjuma twice go close early on, continued to pose a threat themselves despite their numerical disadvantage but neither side could ultimately force a breakthrough.

“[A replay] is the last thing either of us wanted,” Hodgson added.

“Both teams definitely wanted to win the game and there was no questioning the desire to do so but the two team’s defences did well enough to keep chances to a minimum.”