In a recent revelation, Mike Dean, a former Premier League referee, has offered his insights on the contentious moment that saw Abdoulaye Doucoure’s goal disallowed for Everton during their clash against Wolves on Saturday, writes the GN. Dean, now a guest on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday Show, delved into the intricacies of the offside decision that stirred debate.
During the 1-0 defeat to Wolves, Doucoure’s second-half strike was met with controversy as the Mali international found the net, only to have the goal ruled out due to an offside call. Dean, analyzing the situation, acknowledged the challenging nature of the decision, referring to it as a “very tight” offside call. The 30-year-old midfielder’s goal was annulled after VAR review, a decision that Dean deemed a “good call.”
As the incident unfolded, Dean offered his perspective: “I think it’s just offside. Maybe his knee might be fractionally offside on the still. It’s a very tight call, this could go either way. They go from the shirt line on the shoulder, where the player can’t score from and it looks like the attacker’s knee.”
Upon the final ruling to disallow the goal, Dean commended the assistant referee’s initial on-field decision, emphasizing the accuracy of the call. The decision adds to Everton’s woes as they endure a challenging start to the Premier League season, with three consecutive defeats.
Despite the early stage of the campaign, Everton’s struggles are palpable. The sentiment that the Wolves clash was a must-win for the Toffees echoes in the aftermath of their narrow loss at Goodison Park. The disappointment of falling on the losing side once again, combined with the fact that the Blues are yet to score a goal this season, compounds the frustration for manager Sean Dyche and his team.
The disallowed goal serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins that can shape the outcome of matches. Everton’s lack of fortune in recent fixtures highlights the team’s need for a change in momentum. As they seek to navigate these challenges, it becomes crucial for Dyche and the players to rally and find ways to secure valuable points to turn their fortunes around.