- Nathan Ake’s shot hit Amadou Onana’s hand in the area after a Man City corner
- Dyche labelled the decision ‘bizarre’ and said Onana’s position was ‘natural’
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Everton manager Sean Dyche has launched into a furious rant about a handball decision given against his side during their 3-1 loss to Manchester City.
Former Cityzen Jack Harrison gave the Toffees the lead after some strong build-up play before Phil Foden equalised for City.
Nathan Ake’s effort was then considered to have struck Amadou Onana’s hand in the penalty area causing referee John Brooks pointing to the spot.
Julian Alvarez slotted home from the slot before Bernardo Silva added a third to move Pep Guardiola‘s side into the top four.
However Dyche was not best pleased with the decision made by the referee and has made his feelings on the matter clear.
Amadou Onana dived in front of Nathan Ake’s miscued shot on goal with the ball striking his arm
Another angle showing the controversial penalty incident that will leave a bitter taste in Everton fans’ mouths
Julian Alvarez duly converted from the spot to give his side a 2-1 lead at Goodison Park
The Everton boss insisted: ‘We can debate the penalty all day. It has been by managers on Zoom calls to say it’s a farce but that’s the way it goes.
‘That’s completely natural. He’s not putting his arm up to save it, he’s literally jumping in to try to block the ball. How that is given as a penalty is bizarre in my world but I must be from a different planet.
‘Tonight the linesman gives that and he’s 18 yards away so I don’t know who is giving what any more.
‘Who knows? All the managers are debating it. Someone needs to stand up at some point and realise that can’t be a penalty because he’s just throwing himself in front of it to try to block the ball, that’s it.’
Former referee Mark Clattenberg spoke to Amazon Prime about the decision and revealed: ‘It changed the game, it was a big decision. When you block a shot on goal with an outstretched arm even though he’s trying to block the ball because its a shot on goal this is where referees will always look to penalise as a penalty.
‘Do I agree with it? I don’t but we’ve been discussing handle ball for many many years and we still no further forward of actually improving in, one week its given one week its not is it deliberate is it not.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche was fuming on the sidelines and when speaking to media afterwards
Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot however former ref Mark Clattenberg has insisted it was not right
Phil Foden was one of the many Manchester City players who were convinced it was a penalty
‘Every week we’re debating it and the referees are just trying to apply the criteria, the laws of the game. If the referee didn’t give that penalty he would be criticised.
‘The law needs changing and it needs the coaches the players the referees to get round and try find a way to understand handball.’
Former Belgium and Everton manager Roberto Martinez also reacted to the decision and said: ‘For me, it is not a penalty at all. For me, football people know that it is not a penalty.
‘The celebration of City to get that decision told the story. It shows the hunger. It’s something that needs to be reviewed. But the law is something that doesn’t match the game.’
