Everton secured a hard fought point on Sunday at Goodison Park against Chelsea.
Sean Dyche watched his Toffees battle well against the west Londoners to earn a 0-0 draw in this Premier League clash, which takes Everton up to 15th.
Enzo Maresca would have been pulling his hair out – if he had any – watching this stalemate from the sideline, as his Chelsea side registered 75% possession, 12 shots and 433 more passes than Everton, but could not find a way to beat Jordan Pickford.
However, the England international was very fortunate not to give away a penalty after a wild lunge on Malo Gusto.
VAR should have awarded Chelsea a penalty
By the rules of the game, the Everton No.1 was lucky to escape this incident unpunished.
As Gusto attempted to follow up an effort from Nicolas Jackson – which hit the post – Pickford came charging out of his goal towards the Frenchman, flying into the Chelsea No.27 and sending him up in the air.
Jordan Pickford #1 (GK) of Everton F.C. participates in the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England...
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The Everton glovesman also – crucially – failed to get anything on the ball.
Law 14 in the official FA (Football Association) handbook states: “A penalty kick is awarded if a player commits a direct freekick offence inside their penalty area or off the field as part of play as outlined in Laws 12 and 13.”
Anywhere else on the pitch, a challenge like that would have almost certainly been given as a freekick, so Pickford – who Asmir Begovic called “world class” – can count himself fortunate.
Shay Given and Glenn Murray agree that Jordan Pickford endangered Malo Gusto
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day on Sunday night, both Shay Given and Glenn Murray agreed that VAR was wrong to let Pickford off for this challenge on Gusto – who has impressed Maresca.
Given said: “This is a real rush of blood to the head from Jordan, he actually gets really lucky here. I think this is really quite dangerous. When he goes with his feet like that, he’s endangering the opposition.”
Malo Gusto, number 27 of Chelsea, participates in the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, on D...
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Murray then added: “Yeah (he was lucky). I think it was reckless. He turned into an outfield player. I actually think if an outfield player done that, it would have been a penalty.”
Ultimately, Everton fans and Dyche alike will not care one bit, as the Toffees secured an important point to put towards their hopes of Premier League survival.
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